Without Alcaraz, but with heart: Spain overturns Denmark at the end of suspense

Back against the wall after a nightmare Saturday, Spain dug deep to overturn Denmark. Between a lifesaving double, a heroic Pedro Martinez, and an impeccable Carreno Busta, the Roja secures its ticket to Bologna.

Spain achieved a stunning comeback. Down 2-0 after the first two singles against Denmark, David Ferrer's team was on the brink of elimination heading into the second day of competition.

On the clay courts of Marbella, the Spaniards began their comeback thanks to the double, won by Jaume Munar and Pedro Martinez against August Holmgren and Johannes Ingildsen (1-6, 6-3, 6-2).

Then, Martinez replaced his teammate Munar in singles and assumed his role as a wildcard: he emerged victorious in a thriller lasting over three hours (6-1, 4-6, 7-6) against Denmark's No. 1 Holger Rune.

With the score at 2-2, David Ferrer sent in the experienced Pablo Carreno Busta, while Denmark bet on the young Elmer Moller. The match quickly turned into a demonstration for the Spanish team, with "PCB" winning 6-2, 6-3 in 1 hour and 24 minutes of play.

Thus, without Carlos Alcaraz, world No. 1, and also Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Spain validated its ticket for the final phase of the Davis Cup to be held in Bologna from November 18 to 23.