Five match points saved, spectacular points: the epic Davis Cup tie-break between Altmaier and Van de Zandschulp
In the first singles match between Germany and the Netherlands, Daniel Altmaier and Botic Van de Zandschulp played out an epic tie-break.
Trailing 6-4, 4-2, Altmaier managed to pull off a tie-break to stay alive in the match. Both players put on a great show for the fans in Malaga.
At 6-4 in the tie-break, Van de Zandschulp had victory within his grasp. But the German's spectacular backhand passing (see video below) saved the next two match points.
In a tie-break that could find no winner, Altmaier saved a fourth and then a fifth match point (at 8-7 and 9-8), before winning the set on his fourth opportunity (14-12).
After Ben Shelton and Thanasi Kokkinakis yesterday (16-14), another very long tie-break was played in this 2024 edition of the Davis Cup.