Heroic Spain Overcomes the Czechs and Advances to Davis Cup Semi-Finals
Many doubted after the withdrawal of their prodigy Carlos Alcaraz. But this Spanish team showed unbreakable character. Trailing 0-1 after Pablo Carreño Busta's defeat, dominated by Jakub Mensik (5-7, 4-6), they found their first breath of air thanks to Jaume Munar.
The Majorcan, the announced underdog against Jiri Lehecka, perfectly capitalized on every opportunity to equalize (6-3, 6-4) and rekindle a flame that many believed was extinguished.
Then came the decisive doubles. Facing the Czech duo Machac–Mensik, the pair Granollers–Martinez showed their mental strength.
In each set, the Czechs had set points. In each set, the Spaniards turned the tide. Two identical tie-breaks, two intense battles, two conclusions snatched by mental fortitude: 7-6(8), 7-6(8). One image will remain: that of Mensik, until then impeccable, cracking under pressure with a double fault at the moment to save his country.
Spain thus advances to the semi-finals, where Argentina or Germany awaits them.
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