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Zverev Praises Young Dodig After Straight-Sets Win

The result boosts Germany's bid for a place in the Final 8 in Bologna.

Tennis - Davis Cup - Qualifiers - Second Round - Czech Republic v United States - O2 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic - September 19, 2026 Czech Republic's Jakub Mensik celebrates after winning his match against Ben Shelton of the U.S. REUTERS/Eva Korinkova
Tennis - Davis Cup - Qualifiers - Second Round - Germany v Croatia - Heristo Arena, Halle, Germany - September 20, 2026 Germany's Alexander Zverev celebrates after winning his match against Croatia's Dino Prizmic and qualifying for the Davis Cup REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Tennis - Davis Cup - Qualifiers - Second Round - Czech Republic v United States - O2 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic - September 19, 2026 Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka celebrates winning his match against Learner Tien of the U.S. to qualify for the Davis Cup Finals REUTERS/Eva Korinkova
Tennis - Davis Cup - Qualifiers - Second Round - Czech Republic v United States - O2 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic - September 19, 2026 Ben Shelton of the U.S. in action during his match against Czech Republic's Jakub Mensik REUTERS/Eva Korinkova

Overview

  • Alexander Zverev beat Matej Dodig 6-4, 7-6(3) to give Germany a 1-0 lead in the Davis Cup tie and then closed out the match series to send Germany into the Final 8.
  • The victory extended Zverev's winning run to eight matches and came after he publicly praised Dodig's power and talent, saying the Croatian could reach the top of the game.
  • Twenty-one-year-old Matej Dodig produced more winners in the match and scored 28 points, 24 of them off his forehand, despite losing in straight sets.
  • Dodig has not yet played a Grand Slam and has a career-high ranking no better than world No. 171, and he described the match as possibly the best of his life while noting nerves and cramping late on.
  • The Davis Cup qualifiers continue as nations compete for places in the Finals in Bologna from Nov. 24–29, with host Italy already in and several countries including Germany, Britain, Austria, Canada, South Korea, Spain, and the Czech Republic reported to have progressed.