Dutch beat Americans to finish top of Davis Cup Finals group

Posted September 17, 2022 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Netherlands' Wesley Koolhof, right, celebrates victory with Matwe Middelkoop against Great Britain's Andy Murray and Joe Salisbury during the Davis Cup by Rakuten group stage match between Great Britain and Netherlands at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Britain, on Friday Sept. 16, 2022. (Steve Welsh/PA via AP) The Associated Press

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) - Botic van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor won their singles against Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul for the Netherlands to finish top of their Davis Cup Finals group with a 2-1 win on Saturday.

Van de Zandschulp settled the tie when he defeated Fritz, the world No. 12, 6-4, 7-6 (3) after Griekspoor opened with a 7-5, 7-6 (3) victory over Paul.

The Dutch had an unassailable 2-0 lead, then Rajeev Ram and Jack Sock earned some compensation for the Americans by winning their doubles against Wesley Koolhof and Matwe Middelkoop.

The United States and Netherlands were already assured of reaching the quarterfinals with two wins each in Group D. As group winner, the Dutch next face the runner-up in Group C, either Australia or Germany.

The U.S. will play the Group A winner, most likely Italy. The Italians play on Sunday in Bologna against Sweden.

Also on Saturday, Croatia defeated Argentina 3-0 for its second win after losing its opener to Italy.

Canada lost to Serbia 2-1 in Valencia but progressed anyway with two wins in Group B.

France defeated Belgium 2-1 in Group C, where Australia and Germany were already assured of reaching the final eight.

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Belgium's Joran Vliegen, left, and Sander Gille in action during their Davis Cup group C tennis match against France's Nicolas Mahut and Arthur Rinderknech, in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (Frank Molter/dpa via AP) The Associated Press

Belgium's Joran Vliegen, left, and Sander Gille shake hands ahead of their Davis Cup group C tennis match against France's Nicolas Mahut and Arthur Rinderknech, in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (Frank Molter/dpa via AP) The Associated Press

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