Alexander Zverev secured a 1-0 lead for Germany against Croatia in the Davis Cup Final 8 qualifying round with a victory over Matej Dodig, finishing 6-4, 7-6 (3) on Saturday. This match marked Zverev’s first appearance since winning the U.S. Open final against Ben Shelton last weekend, following his triumph at the French Open in June.
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The second-ranked Zverev dominated on the indoor hardcourt in Halle, Germany, serving 15 aces and not allowing Dodig any break-point opportunities. Germany's Daniel Altmaier was set to face Croatia’s Dino Prizmic in the second singles match later Saturday. The tie is a best-of-five match series, with doubles and reverse singles scheduled for Sunday. The winning team will advance to the Final 8 in Bologna, Italy, in November.
Meanwhile, American duo Christian Harrison and Austin Krajicek led their team to a 2-1 advantage against the Czech Republic by defeating Adam Pavlasek and Patrik Riki 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (8). Shelton is expected to play Jakub Mensik, aiming to clinch the series a day after his loss to Jiri Lehecka, which had leveled the tie at 1-1.
Austria confirmed its place in the Final 8 as Jurji Rodionov defeated Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 7-6, 6-3, giving Austria an unassailable 3-1 lead after also winning the doubles match on outdoor clay in Vienna.
In a historic achievement, South Korea became the first Asian nation to reach the Final 8 by defeating India 3-1. The South Korean team initially fell behind in both singles matches on Friday but rallied to win 2-0. Although they dropped the opening doubles match on Saturday, Soonwoo Kwan secured the victory by beating Sumit Nagal 6-1, 6-2 in the first reverse singles.