Key Takeaways:
- Despite being one of the lowest-ranked nations, Elias Ymer believes Sweden can win the Davis Cup Finals.
- Before any matches were played, Elias Ymer stated unequivocally that Sweden.
Despite staying one of the lowest-ranked nations in the competition, could win the Davis Cup Finals. He followed up his words with a solid first-round win on Thursday, then cheered on his brother Mikael in the other singles match that sealed Sweden’s Group B victory over 2019 runner-up Canada.
Top-ranked France also second-ranked Croatia also won on the first day, while defending champion Spain was without one of its main draws after 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz tested positive for the coronavirus and was forced to withdraw from the squad. In Group A, Spain was scheduled to play Ecuador on Friday.
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Following the first-set loss by veteran Richard Gasquet, France needed to rally against the 18th-ranked Czech Republic with a three-set doubles victory. Sweden also defeated Canada in the doubles match, with Elias Ymer defeating Steven Diaz 6-4, 6-2 and Mikael Ymer defeating Vasek Pospisil 6-4, 6-4.
“It’s nothing short of miraculous.” It’s not found in almost any other country. “It’s not common in many sports, two brothers,” Elias Ymer explained. “Our parents came from Ethiopia.” We are both like No. 1 and No. 2 for Sweden in the world’s largest tennis tournament. It’s not something you see very often.”
Elias Ymer, ranked 171st, battled back after falling behind 4-1 in the first set to Diaz. Mikael Ymer, who is ranked 93rd and two years younger than Elias, converted his break-point chances against Pospisil.
Mikael Ymer stated that their victories would undoubtedly be felt in their home country. The Czech Republic took a 1-0 lead against France in Group C in Innsbruck when 21-year-old Thomas Machac defeated Gasquet 7-6, 6-2 (3). Because of coronavirus restrictions in Austria, the 35-year-old Gasquet gave up 11 aces to the 143rd-ranked Machac in an empty arena.
Adrian Mannarino inspirited to defeat Jiri Vesely 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-2, and Pierre-Hughes Herbert and Nicolas Mahut came from behind to defeat Jiri Lehecka and Machac 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Each match is a best-of-three series on indoor hard courts consisting of two singles and one double game.
Source: ESPN New
