MADRID (Reuters) - The Russian Tennis Federation will play Croatia in the Davis Cup final after beating Germany 2-1 in the semi-finals in Madrid.
U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev comfortably beat Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 6-4 to give his team an unassailable 2-0 lead before Germany won the doubles to restore some pride on their exit from the competition.
Medvedev’s win, after Andrey Rublev had demolished Dominik Koepfer 6-4 6-0, set up a meeting with the 2018 champions Croatia on Sunday.
World number two Medvedev never looked in serious trouble against Struff, making just six unforced errors and saving the one break point he faced to seal the win in 66 minutes and send Russia to their first Davis Cup final since 2007.
“I am really happy for the team to be in the final,” Medvedev said in an on-court interview.
Earlier, Rublev smashed down six aces in the first set and world number 58 Koepfer wilted remarkably as the Russian broke at every opportunity in the second to wrap up the opening match in 49 minutes.