Argentina secured a place in the final phase of the Davis Cup
Argentina secured a place in the final phase of the Davis Cup, an unofficial men’s team tennis championship, after a 3-0 win over Finland.
The Argentines reach the top eight matches in Malaga (Spain) in November for the first time in five years.
They had to fight hard in Group D in Manchester after their first loss to 2022 champions Canada. The team then beat hosts Great Britain on Friday and Finland, last year’s semi-finalists but without their best player.
Tomas MartÃn Etcheverry defeated 703rd-ranked Eero Vasa by 2-0 (7:6(5), 6:3), then Francisco Cerundolo defeated Otto Virtanen by 2-1 (6:7(4), 6:1, 6:0). In doubles, Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni took the victory versus Patrick Kaukovalta and Harri Heliovaara with 6:7(3), 6:4, 6:3.
The result leaves Great Britain needing a 3-0 win against Canada on Sunday to progress in the competition.
In Bologna, Brazil defeated Belgium by 2-1 after losses to Italy and the Netherlands in Group A. Brazil have a chance to progress if the Netherlands lose to unbeaten champions Italy 3-0 on Sunday.
In China, the USA earned a place in the final after beating Germany 2-1 to top Group C without a loss. Both teams had already secured a place in the next phase, but the USA finished in first place in the standings.
In Group B in Spain, 10-time champion France won against three-time champion Czech Republic with 2:1.
