Davis Cup: The great Molčan decided! Slovakia again fights for the final tournament – ŠPORT.SK

today 17:40 | Slovak tennis players have qualified for the Davis Cup final tournament for the fourth time in a row. In the duel of the 1st world group, they won 3:1 over Romania on clay in Bratislava’s NTC. Alex Molčan took care of the decisive third point, who outclassed Nicholas David Ionel 6:1, 6:1 in the duel of team units after a concentrated performance. The best Slovak singles player succeeded against the Romanians in both doubles matches, and on Friday he dealt with Marius Copil. On Saturday, doubles players Lukáš Klein and Igor Zelenay won an important second point after a 7:6 (4), 6:2 triumph over Victor Vlad Cornea, Copil. In February 2023, the Slovaks will have a fourth opportunity to advance to the final tournament, the previous three attempts did not work out for them. In March they lost at home to the Italians 2:3, the year before last they lost to the Czech Republic 1:3 and in 2019 in Canada 2:3. Molčan fully confirmed the role of favorite against Ionel. With a score of 2:1, he broke the serve of the young Romanian thanks to great stop balls, broke his opponent again in the sixth game, and the first set clearly became his prey. Molčan made almost no mistakes in exchanges, he played variably, his shots from the baseline had the optimal length. In the opening game of the second act, after another textbook drop shot, he again took Ionel’s serve, after confirming the break, he took the lead 2:0 and already brought the match to a successful end. At 5:1, the Romanian converted the first match point after a forehand winner. Alex Molčan Source: TASR Davis Cup World Group 1 match: SLOVAKIA – Romania 3:1 Molčan – Ionel 6:1, 6:1