Russia beats Sweden when Davis Cup semi-final
MADRID / STARNBERG, 2 December 2021
In the last of this year Davis Cup of Rakuten In the quarterfinals, Russia beat Sweden 2-0 at Madrid Arena on Thursday night to reach the level among the last four for the second season in a row.
Andrey Rublev survived a huge terror against World No. 171 Elias Ymer to succeed with 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (3) in first single rubber. The 24-year-old Russian faced 12 aces and 27 winners and broke Ymer’s serve four times to win after two hours and 11 minutes.
Rublev SURVIVES 🤯@ AndreyRublev97 fights against a superb effort from Elias Ymer 6-2 5-7 7-6 (3) to put RTF in the lead against Sweden!#DavisCupFinals #av Rakuten pic.twitter.com/cQdTUq2n2N
– Davis Cup (@DavisCup) December 2, 2021
“Today was a super tough match” said Rublev after the match. “I did not manage to finish the match when I had a really good chance. I missed a few simple balls and that brought him back to the match and then that moment he raised his level. He started to feel confident and he started to play much better and then it was 7-6 in third. “
When asked about the pressure to play against a lower ranked rival, world number 5 answered: “The guys have nothing to lose, so they go for it, they go for their shots and play without fear and in my case I know I have to win so you start playing less aggressively and you start to miss a little more. You start to think more and as soon as you think more, you get more problems. In the end, I managed to win and that is the most important thing. “
Medvedev in straight sets
Later in the evening, Daniel Medvedev took his team’s place in the semifinals against Germany on Saturday with a 6-4, 6-4 win against Mikael Ymer. World No. 2 and reigning US Open champions converted five of their 10 break-point chances to secure victory in one hour and 13 minutes.
✅ Work done@DaniilMedwed puts RTF in back-to-back semifinals, sweeps past Mikael Ymer 6-4 6-4.#DavisCupFinals #av Rakuten pic.twitter.com/XCqHxXblAq
– Davis Cup (@DavisCup) December 2, 2021
“Madrid feels at home, we win many matches,” said Medvedev. “It was a big boost of confidence to beat the home team [in the Group Stage]. We win many matches, we did not lose a draw in the group. Saturday will be my first semifinal, so I’m really looking forward to it.
In the first semifinal on Friday, Croatia will host Serbia.