BOLOGNA, Italy — Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez beat Tomas Machak and Jakub Mencic in the decider on Thursday to help Spain beat the Czech Republic without top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz and reach the Davis Cup semifinals.
Six-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz exited this week with a hamstring injury.
After the teams split two singles matches, Granollers and Martinez sealed the quarterfinals with a 7-6 (8), 7-6 (8) doubles victory at the Super Tennis Arena.
Spain will face second-placed Germany or Argentina in Thursday’s final quarter-final.
The 20-year-old Mensik hit 20 aces and defeated veteran Pablo Carreño Busta 7-5, 6-4, and then Jaume Munar defeated No. 17 Jiri Lehka 6-3, 6-4 to win his first Davis Cup singles on behalf of Spain.
Spain has not reached the semifinals since winning its sixth title in 2019, while fourth-seeded Czech Republic has failed to reach the semifinals since 2014.
Top-ranked Italy, seeking a third consecutive title and fourth overall, will face Belgium in the other semi-final. Italy lost world No. 2 Jannik Sinner, who is resting.
The Davis Cup final in Bologna was the sixth edition of the revamped event, with the championship held at a neutral venue.
Canada withdrew from the tournament after losing in the first round of qualifying.
