Darcis' Heroics Propels Belgium To Davis Cup QF

GERMANY 1, BELGIUM 4
Venue: Fraport Arena, Frankfurt, Germany (Indoor Hard)

Steve Darcis’ Davis Cup legend continues to grow, as the Belgian stalwart provided the heroics once again for the European nation. Darcis improved to an impressive 21-8 in Davis Cup singles play with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(8) upset of Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s fourth rubber, sending Belgium into the quarter-finals. The 32 year old’s second straight Top 30 win comes on the heels of a five-set victory over Philipp Kohlschreiber to open the tie on Friday. Previously, Darcis was 0-9 against Top 30 opponents since stunning Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2013.

“You never know in Davis Cup,” said Darcis. “They said it would an easy match for Germany. That’s why we love the Davis Cup. There are surprises and we had one today. The difference between us and them is that we are really a team. They have so many great players but we play with heart, for our country and for the people here.”

Without the services of World No. 11 David Goffin, Darcis was the clutch performer for 2015 finalist Belgium. On Sunday, he overcame a set and a break deficit against Zverev and remained poised after squandering three match points in the fourth set tie-break. Darcis would turn aside a set point at 8-7, before sealing the victory 10-8 after three hours and two minutes. Zverev struck more winners (28-20) and more aces (21-7), but it was 73 unforced errors that made the difference.

Belgium will face either defending champion Argentina or Italy in the quarter-finals. It is their third appearance in the last eight since 2007.

SERBIA 4, RUSSIA 1
Venue: Cair Sports Center, Nis, Serbia (Indoor Hard)

Serbia finished off a 4-1 victory over Russia on Sunday, as Dusan Lajovic defeated Konstantin Kravchuk 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the lone dead rubber played. The hosts will next face either 2016 finalist Croatia or Spain in the quarter-finals.