RUSSIA has cemented its spot in the 2021 Davis Cup decider after defeating Germany 2-1 in the semi-final overnight. The Russians wrapped up the tie without dropping a set in the singles, before getting court time into their other players saw the doubles go ahead, but the experienced German doubles pairing taking the win. Led by Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev, the Russian will head in as favourites, needing to repeat the same performance tomorrow.

Rublev entered the opening singles match with less than ideal form, winning two of his three games against far lower opponents, but all of them went to three sets. There was a change in this match though, with the Top 10 talent securing the first set in a tight one, before running away with the second in a bagel to win, 6-4 6-0. The second set lasted just 21 minutes – the match 48 all-up – as he destroyed German Dominik Koepfer to give himself confidence ahead of taking on the in-form Borna Gojo tomorrow. He won 25 of a possible 35 points in that second set, and broke with each of his four break point chances throughout the match. Additionally, Rublev served nine aces to two and won 84 per cent of his first serve points from a 74 per cent clip, compared to Koepfer’s 57 off 49 per cent.

Medvedev also kept it simple against Jan-Lennard Struff, winning in straight sets, though with a little more of a fight from the opposition. The Russian world number two won 6-4 6-4 in 66 minutes on court, serving five aces to four and not serving a double fault compared to Struff’s four. He also broke twice from five opportunities and did not conceded a break. Whilst the match was unsurprisingly the battle of serves, Medvedev had more variety in his game, though it was built upon his dominant serve, winning 83 and 80 per cent of his first and second serve points off a 70 per cent efficiency. Struff was clinical off is first serve (85 per cent), but only won 35 per cent of his second serve points off a 63 per cent clip.

The tie was done and dusted, but in order to get Aslan Karatsev and Karen Khachanov some court time ahead of the final, Russia wanted the doubles to go ahead, with the two singles players taking on Top 20 doubles combination, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz. The Germans were too strong in the end, coming back from a surprise first set loss to put away Karatsev and Khachanov 4-6 6-3 6-4, in an hour and 40 minutes. Krawietz and Puetz broke three times to two and served nine aces to six, also winning more second serve points and only producing two doubles faults to five. It mattered little in the scheme of things however, as Russia continued its dominance of only having dropped one singles match – to Spain – on its way to the final.

RESULTS:

Andrey Rublev (RUS) defeated Dominik Koepfer (GER) 6-4 6-0
Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) 6-4 6-4
K. Krawietz/T. Puetz (GER) defeated A. Karatsev/K. Khachanov (RUS) 4-6 6-3 6-4