Postpublished at 22:45 Greenwich Mean Time 19 November 2024
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 5-4 Alcaraz/Granollers*
Marcel Granollers dives for the ball and gets there, dinking it over to pull Spain level.
Rafael Nadal's career ends as Spain lose 2-1 to the Netherlands in Davis Cup
Nadal lost 6-4 6-4 to Van de Zandschulp in what was last match of his career
Carlos Alcaraz beat Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 to level tie
But Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers lost 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) to Wesley Koolhof and Botic van de Zandschulp in deciding doubles
22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal announced impending retirement earlier in year
Emily Salley and Harry Poole
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 5-4 Alcaraz/Granollers*
Marcel Granollers dives for the ball and gets there, dinking it over to pull Spain level.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 5-4 Alcaraz/Granollers*
That's better. Wesley Koolhof can only send that Carlos Alcaraz serve wide. 15-30.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 5-4 Alcaraz/Granollers*
A worrying start for Carlos Alcaraz, who pushes the ball into the net to open up a 0-30 lead for the Netherlands.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 5-4 Alcaraz/Granollers*
Big pressure for Carlos Alcaraz. Spain's Davis Cup hopes and the end of Rafael Nadal's career rest on his shoulders once again.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 5-4 Alcaraz/Granollers*
A huge momentum shift. Wesley Koolhof runs off the court celebrating as he takes the Netherlands one game away from reaching the semi-finals.
The Dutchman, who is also retiring, doesn't want his career to end here.
*Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 4-4 Alcaraz/Granollers
What do Spain have left? Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers have to find something here to keep their nation in the Davis Cup and extend Rafael Nadal's farewell party.
*Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 4-4 Alcaraz/Granollers
Marcel Granollers crashes down a huge serve that Wesley Koolhof sends wide, but Botic van de Zandschulp comes up with the goods on the next serve - squeezing it in to break back.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 3-4 Alcaraz/Granollers*
Perhaps Carlos Alcaraz should have left that Wesley Koolhof return for Marcel Granollers to deal with. The four-time major winner has to react quickly and he lofts the ball long.
The Dutch duo keep up the pressure and Alcaraz can't dink a return over, handing the Netherlands two break back points.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 3-4 Alcaraz/Granollers*
The Netherlands keep themselves in contention in this second set with a straightforward hold.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 2-4 Alcaraz/Granollers*
A brilliant backhand return from Wesley Koolhof curls outwards, over the net and catches out Carls Alcaraz.
The Spaniard's next serve beats Botic van de Zandschulp and there's absolutely nothing Koolhof can do with that ace.
And there's another! But it's Marcel Granollers who wraps up the game with a clever drop volley.
*Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 2-3 Alcaraz/Granollers
Carlos Alcaraz stands with his head down and hands on his hips after sendng his return long to hand Wesley Koolhof and Botic van de Zandschulp an important hold.
*Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 1-3 Alcaraz/Granollers
What a combo from Marcel Granollers and Carlos Alcaraz, who sends a bullet of a forehand past Wesley Koolhof to pull level at 30-30.
*Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 1-3 Alcaraz/Granollers
A clenched fist from Carlos Alcaraz who cling on to back up the break.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 1-2 Alcaraz/Granollers*
Marcel Granollers makes up for his mistake with two strong serves and it's advantage Spain.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 1-2 Alcaraz/Granollers*
Groans from the Spanish crowd as the Netherlands bring up their own break points after Marcel Granollers lets Wesley Koolhof's strike find the line after thinking it would go long.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 1-2 Alcaraz/Granollers*
"VAMOS!" shouts Rafael Nadal. That tells you all you need to know!
Spain break as Carlos Alcaraz flings a forehand return down the line, out of Botic van de Zandschulp's reach.
*Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 1-1 Alcaraz/Granollers
Botic van de Zandschulp sends the ball wide and it's another break point to Spain.
Can they get it this time?
*Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 1-1 Alcaraz/Granollers
Marcel Granoller's lofts Botic van de Zandschulp's serve high and it finally falls just a couple of inches beyond the baseline.
Carlos Alcaraz tries to take control of the next point, but he can't find a way past Wesley Koolhof and eventually plants the ball into the net. Deuce.
*Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 1-1 Alcaraz/Granollers
Rafael Nadal has hardly sat down in the last 10 minutes. He's constantly up on his feet, shouting what I assume are words of encouragement to Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Grannollers.
They must be helping - Spain have two break points!
*Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) 1-1 Alcaraz/Granollers
Wesley Koolhof and Botic van de Zandschulp are piling on the pressure on the Spaniards.
But just as they look like they're short of ideas, Carlos Alcaraz lands an ace and then another serve that Botic van de Zandschulp can't return.