By definition an individual sport, tennis is a discipline in which it is unusual for a player to be engaged within a team. Created in 1900, the prestigious Davis Cup has long enabled talented players from the same nation to give their all in order to defend their country's colors in front of a cheering crowd.
Unfortunately neglected by the world's biggest tennis stars in the last few years, the Tennis World Cup has attempted to adapt to a more commercial format, losing much of its charm in the process.
New tennis fans probably not being aware of the atmosphere of a decisive 5th set, in which two heroes from a different nation battle each other, it seems necessary to present one of the last masterpieces of this beloved competition.
Credit : Tennis Highlights
Won by Croatia, the 2018 edition of the tournament left its mark on tennis fans through one of its quarter-final encounters.
Leading nations of European tennis, Germany and Spain face off in a match that is already exciting tennis fans around the world.
With Germany leading 2-1 after the doubles match, Spain needs to react. The 10,600 spectators gathered in the mythical Valencia arena are now eager to give their champions the courage and strength they need to turn the match around.
The match between Nadal and Zverev rapidly turning into a correction inflicted by the Spaniard on the young tennis star, all eyes are now focused on the decisive encounter.
Rafael Nadal after his win against Zverev, credit : Reuters.
More than a match : A clash of styles
The protagonists of this final act are well known across the tennis world : David Ferrer (Spain) and Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany).
Former world No. 3, David Ferrer plays a defensive style of tennis based on his outstanding physical and mental capabilities.
His opponent is an completely different player: creative, elegant and able to vary his shots with his one-handed backhand, Phillip Kolschreiber is not an easy customer.
Despite a 10-3 advantage for the Spaniard in the confrontations between the two players, the magic of the Davis Cup has already shown us that these unique encounters often allow players to break their limits and turn around situations that might seem hopeless.
Phillip Kolschreiber during the 2018 Davis cup
From the very start of the match, everything seemed to point in the direction of an intense encounter. Both players refusing to give in, whilst their opposing styles provide breathtaking rallies.
However, in a very one-sided tie-break, David Ferrer takes the first set and take the lead.
Happiness will however not last long for the Spanish public, who soon witnessed Phillip Kohslchreiber's flawless performance in the second act. A a one-sided set of tennis from the German player sent a strong message to the audience : this match is likely to last.
In a Roaller coaster third set, during which a succession of breaks occurred, the two players had to battle it out in a tie-break ; the second of the match.
Once again, David Ferrer proved his worth against an opponent who seemed nervous during the key moments of the match, committing numerous errors undoubtedly due to the pressure imposed by the intense atmosphere of this encounter
David Ferrer during his games against Kolschreiber during the 2018 Davis Cup, Credit: Sky Sports
“Philipp, played an unbelievable match, one of the best matches I ever saw him play. … All the match was an incredible level of tennis, incredible intensity, for five hours.”
Despite everything, Kohlschreiber began the fourth set much more relaxed and offensive, quickly putting his opponent under pressure.
More creative and ambitious, the German finally broke his opponent, winning the set by 6 games to 4 and giving the 10,000 Spanish fans in the Valencia arena a decisive set.
Under irrespirable atmosphere, Ferrer strikes first, breaking his opponent who then manages to come back to score, the two players giving their all.
5-5, suddenly, and despite his impeccable performance in the last few games, the German seemed to lose all control of his game, missing two unmissable chances and giving his opponent the opportunity to serve for the win.
Pushed by his compatriots and driven by an unshakeable determination, David Ferrer takes the final set of this epic duel after a battle lasting almost 5 hours.
David Ferrer winning a thriller match against Germany, credit : Cambio16
Applauded by the crowd, the Spaniard can smile : he has just qualified his nation for the semi-finals of the World Tennis Cup after one of the finest matches ever played in this competition.
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