Spain Defeat Serbia in Davis Cup Opener with Alcaraz Rested

Carlos Alcaraz (R) was kept in reserve for Spain after winning the US Open last weekend JOSE JORDAN AFP
Carlos Alcaraz (R) was kept in reserve for Spain after winning the US Open last weekend JOSE JORDAN AFP
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Spain Defeat Serbia in Davis Cup Opener with Alcaraz Rested

Carlos Alcaraz (R) was kept in reserve for Spain after winning the US Open last weekend JOSE JORDAN AFP
Carlos Alcaraz (R) was kept in reserve for Spain after winning the US Open last weekend JOSE JORDAN AFP

Spain beat Serbia in their opening tie of the Davis Cup group stage on Wednesday as US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz watched from the sidelines, but Great Britain and Andy Murray lost to the United States.

Alcaraz, who made his Davis Cup debut in a qualifying tie against Romania in March, arrived in Valencia only on Tuesday after becoming the youngest men's world number one in history with Sunday's triumph in New York, AFP said.

With Rafael Nadal also absent against a Serbia team missing Novak Djokovic, Albert Ramos-Vinolas won the opening rubber against Laslo Djere 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5.

Roberto Bautista Agut secured the Group B tie for Spain by defeating Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5) in the second singles.

"The best experiences of my life playing tennis have been in this competition," said Bautista Agut.

"Today I really enjoyed playing in front of the Spanish crowd in Valencia, next to my home town. I'm exhausted because it was a tough match and we have a lot of work (still) to do this week."

Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martínez sealed a 3-0 victory when they won the doubles against Nikola Cacic and Dusan Lajovic 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-2.

Jack Sock and Rajeev Ram of the United States sealed a 2-1 win against Great Britain in Group D in Glasgow, edging Murray and Joe Salisbury 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 in a thrilling doubles rubber that finished well after midnight.

"We were playing against one of the biggest legends of the game, playing in his home country," said Sock of facing Murray.

"It was an electric atmosphere. We stuck it out and got the win."

Ram said it had not been easy being on the other side of the net from his regular doubles partner, Salisbury.

"It's tricky, we've been playing together for four years. But we go out and compete as best as we can," said Ram. "Playing for our country is huge for us."

Earlier Cameron Norrie, the world number eight, overcame 12th-ranked Taylor Fritz 2-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 to bring Britain level in the tie after Tommy Paul took down Dan Evans in three sets in the opening rubber.

- 'Guys gave everything' -
The late finish meant the US players would have only a few hours rest until they were due back on court on Thursday to face Kazakhstan.

"These guys gave everything, Team GB gave everything," said stand-in American captain Bob Bryan.

"It's 0100 on a Thursday. We've got to go again in 13 hours. Kazakhstan won't be any easier."

Lorenzo Musetti and Matteo Berrettini gave Italy the perfect start to their campaign with victory over Croatia in Bologna.

The 20-year-old Musetti saw off Borna Gojo 6-4, 6-2 in the Group A tie.

Former Wimbledon runner-up Berrettini had to fight back from a set down against Cincinnati Masters champion Borna Coric, but won 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-1.

Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini edged a final-set tie-break against Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic to complete a 3-0 sweep.

Italy have high hopes of claiming only a second Davis Cup title and first since 1976.

Their top-ranked player Jannik Sinner could yet be ready to play against Argentina on Friday.

Germany began Group C with a first Davis Cup win over France since 1938 after Tim Puetz and Kevin Krawietz defeated Nicolas Mahut and Arthur Rinderknech in the doubles in Hamburg.

"Making positive history is always great," said Germany captain Michael Kohlmann, whose country had lost the previous eight meetings with the French.

"Today was like a roller coaster, but in the end it's a big win. It is huge for us."

Jan-Lennard Struff beat Benjamin Bonzi 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 to give the home team the lead, before Adrian Mannarino levelled with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Oscar Otte.



Julián Álvarez Picking up the Scoring Pace with Atletico Madrid

Atletico's Julián Álvarez of Atletico celebrates scoring during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Sparta Prague and Atletico Madrid in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Michaela Rihova/CTK via AP)
Atletico's Julián Álvarez of Atletico celebrates scoring during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Sparta Prague and Atletico Madrid in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Michaela Rihova/CTK via AP)
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Julián Álvarez Picking up the Scoring Pace with Atletico Madrid

Atletico's Julián Álvarez of Atletico celebrates scoring during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Sparta Prague and Atletico Madrid in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Michaela Rihova/CTK via AP)
Atletico's Julián Álvarez of Atletico celebrates scoring during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Sparta Prague and Atletico Madrid in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Michaela Rihova/CTK via AP)

When the referee whistled for the free kick just outside the area, Atletico Madrid forward Julián Álvarez quickly picked up the ball and moved in position to take the shot.

“When I saw the free kick, I told Rodri (Rodrigo De Paul) that I felt confident with the shot,” Álvarez said. “And it was a great goal.”

Álvarez, Atletico's main signing in the offseason, has not been lacking confidence lately. The Argentina forward curled in the free kick shot in the 15th minute for the first of his two goals in the team’s 6-0 rout of Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday — the team’s biggest ever away win in European competitions.

“We'll keep rotating who takes the free kicks,” said Álvarez, who also found the net in the 59th.

It was Álvarez’s seventh goal in the last 10 matches, and third in his last three games across all competitions. The 24-year-old had a slow start to his first season with Atletico, scoring twice in 10 matches.

“It was a matter of time before we started connecting well with each other,” said Álvarez, who joined Atletico after two seasons at Manchester City. “We have to stay on this path to keep improving.”

Ángel Correa also scored two goals for Atletico, with Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann adding one each.

“We know that in this format of the competition we need to keep adding the three points and scoring goals,” Álvarez said. “It's important to get the points and the goals.”

Atletico was sitting in 13th place in the 36-team league standings.