Rafael Nadal in professional tennis, 80th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp, converted his 10th match point Friday to finally close out a 6-4, 6-7 (12), 6-3 victory over Daniel Altmaier and help the Netherlands reach its first Davis Cup final by sweeping Germany.

The Netherlands moved to the brink of their first Davis Cup final as Botic Van de Zandschulp held his nerve to beat Germany's Daniel Altmaier 6-4 6-7(12) 6-3 on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Botic van de Zandschulp, who beat Rafael Nadal in the final match of the Spaniard's career on Tuesday, put the Dutch 1-0 up with a win over Daniel Altmaier

Netherlands reached the Davis Cup final for the first time with a battling 2-0 win over Germany on Friday (Saturday in Manila), with captain Paul Haarhuis labelling the feat 'unique.'

Netherlands reached the Davis Cup final for the first time with a battling 2-0 win over Germany on Friday, with captain Paul Haarhuis labelling the feat "unique". Tallon Griekspoor ground down Jan-Lennard Struff 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-4 in the second singles rubber to eliminate the three-time winners in the semi-finals.

Australia's hopes of reaching the Davis Cup final fall short after semi-final singles defeats for Alex de Minaur and Thanasi Kokkinakis against Italy.

Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp beat Germany's Daniel Altmaier 6-4 6-7 (12-14) 6-3 to draw first blood in the Davis Cup semi-final in Malaga on Friday. World number 80 Van de Zandschulp seized on one of his two break points in the first set to take charge after 88th-ranked Altmaier spurned his only opportunity.

Italy is ready to defend the Davis Cup title at the "Martin Carpena" in Malaga. Filippo Volandri's Azzurri, after overcoming Argentina and Australia, will face the Netherlands to win for the

An inspired Netherlands team made Davis Cup history as they put their nation into the final for the first time ever with a 2-0 defeat of Germany on Friday. Singles wins for Botic Van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor sparked a party amongst an army of orange-clad Dutch fans inside the Jose Maria Martin Carpena arena.

Netherlands reached the Davis Cup final for the first time with a battling 2-0 win over Germany on Friday, with captain Paul Haarhuis labelling the feat "unique".