Belgium has defeated Germany for the first time in Davis Cup history after Steve Darcis defeated Alexander Zverev 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(8), to secure a decisive victory in the tie.
Heading into the third day of the Clash, Belgium had a 2-1 lead after clinching a crucial five-set victory in the doubles on Saturday. Tasked with trying to elevate his country into the quarterfinals of the competition, Darcis overcame a fierce start to the match by Zverev to secure the surprise victory. The experience of the 32-year-old proved pivotal in the crucial moments as he tamed the rising star, who fired 14 more aces and produced eight extra winners than him.
“We knew it would be very tough, as always in the Davis Cup, but as our coach said all week: Impossible is nothing.” Darcis revealed.
The shock victory has also ended Darcis’ losing record against top-30 players. Since defeating Rafael Nadal at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships, he suffered nine consecutive losses to players ranked in that category.
“You never know in Davis Cup,” said Darcis. “They said it would be an easy match for Germany. That’s why we love the Davis Cup. There are surprises and we had one today. The difference between us and them is that we are really a team. They have so many great players, but we play with heart, for our country and for the people here.”
Previously Belgium were on an eight-match losing streak to Germany. There were the underdogs in the away tie at the Fraport Arena with Germany presenting a team featuring two top-30 players (Zverev and Philipp Kohlschreiber).
Team captain Johan Van Herck has praised his team following their triumph in Frankfurt. Johan Van Herck said it was the belief of his players that helped secure their place in the last eight.
“This is an unexpected victory, but we did all week insisted that nothing is impossible.’ Impossible is nothing’ was our motto. I am extremely proud. This is so deserved, for everyone,” the coach told Belgian his team.
Belgium will play either defending champions Argentina or Italy in the next round.
Australian Poised for Rematch With America
On Saturday the first quarter-final line-up was confirmed with convincing wins by Australia and the United States of America. In Melbourne, Nick Kyrgios and Co raced to a 3-0 victory against the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, America cruised their way past a weakened Switzerland, who was missing star players Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka.
“It’s a tough ask,” Captain Lleyton Hewitt said about facing America.
“We lost to them in a pretty tight battle a year ago they’re a tough team.
“They’re going to be really strong.They’ve got four really good singles players and they can mix and match the doubles pairing pretty well.”
The upcoming tie will be the 47th meeting between the two countries since 1905. America leads the head-to-head 26-20 and won their most recent encounter in 2016.
The April showdown will take place at a yet to be confirmed venue in America.
