Netherlands qualifies for first Davis Cup final by beating Germany

The Netherlands will play for the Davis Cup title after completing a 2-0 sweep of Germany in the semifinals Friday in Malaga, Spain.

Botic van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor took down their German opponents in three sets to clinch their country's spot in the finals without needing a doubles match. The Netherlands had never reached the Davis Cup final in 104 years of competing.

The Dutch team will face either Italy or Australia, who will play in the other semifinal Saturday.

The Netherlands struck first when van de Zandschulp earned a dramatic 6-4, 6-7 (12), 6-3 win over German Daniel Altmaier. While Altmaier delivered 16 aces among his 37 winners, van de Zandschulp saved 7 of 9 break points and broke Altmaier's serve four times. He won despite failing to convert on five match points during the second-set tiebreaker.

In the previous round, van de Zandschulp had to defeat Rafael Nadal in the Spanish legend's final match before retirement. The Dutchman called that "the toughest match of my life ... so everything that comes next is a little bit easier."

Griekspoor followed with a 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4 victory over Jan-Lennard Struff. Griekspoor hit a whopping 25 aces with only one double fault on his way to 42 winners and just 18 unforced errors. He saved both break points he faced.

--Field Level Media