Feb 01, 2024 at 4:51 PM Update: 3 hours ago
The Dutch tennis players hope to qualify for the Davis Cup Finals at the expense of Switzerland on Saturday in an orange Martini Plaza. On paper they are the favorites, but captain Paul Haarhuis and leader Tallon Greek Spoor warn the team against underestimation.
“It will be very tough, we have to get to work,” said captain Haarhuis during the press day in Groningen. “Last year we showed that we have a chance to win the Davis Cup, but now it just starts again.”
In November 2023, the Dutch tennis players lost to Italy in the quarter-finals, where an unleashed Jannik Sinner thundered over Greek Spoor and Wesley Koolhof in both the singles and doubles matches.
To reach the quarter-finals again in 2024, the Netherlands must first beat Switzerland. Without top player Stan Wawrinka and top hundred player Dominic Stricker, the single Davis Cup winner has a depleted team.
“But there is no question of underestimation,” Greekpoor said. “We know how dangerous the Swiss can be. Leandro Riedi has started his year well and Marc-Andrea Hüsler can also beat a lot of guests. He was in the top forty last year. We are certainly on our guard.”
The five-man Davis Cup team of captain Paul Haarhuis in Martiniplaza. Photo: KNLTB
Greek Spoor suffered from neck problems
It was still uncertain that Greek Spoor will open the tennis ball for the Netherlands on Friday. The number 29 in the world suffered from a stiff neck and still had doubts about his participation on Monday. “This doesn’t look good,” he told Haarhuis.
Thanks to days full of treatments from his physiotherapists, the leader is still fit in time. “I was not on the court on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. With painkillers in my body, I hit some balls again on Tuesday and luckily it went well,” said Greekpoor. “I brought two physios with me and they are there for me day and night.”
“I am very happy that I can play here again,” added Greekpoor, who loves the home crowd in Groningen. “Last year I played here in the best atmosphere ever. I hope it will be even better this weekend.”
“The students who are present here in large numbers bring something special and that is so beautiful,” said the Haarlemmer with a twinkle in his eye. “I hope they have a good drink this weekend.”
Davis Cup Qualifying Schedule
Friday February 2, from 2 p.m.:
- Single: Griekspoor (ATP-29)-Hüsler (ATP-199)
- Single: Van de Zandschulp (ATP-63)-Riedi (ATP-175)
Saturday February 3, from 1 p.m.:
- Doubles: Koolhof (ATP-7)/Rojer (ATP-19) -Kym (ATP-816)/Ritschard (645)
- Single: Greek Spoor-Riedi
- Single: Van de Zandschulp-Hüsler
Reserve player Netherlands: Gijs Brouwer (ATP-158)
The winner of the match will qualify directly for the Davis Cup Finals in September. The loser will face a play-off match in World Group I in September.
2024-02-01 15:51:48
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