GLASGOW, Scotland — Botic van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor won their singles against Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul for the Netherlands to finish top of their Davis Cup Finals group with a 2-1 win.
Van de Zandschulp settled the tie when he defeated Fritz, the world No. 12, 6-4, 7-6 (3) after Griekspoor opened with a 7-5, 7-6 (3) victory over Paul.
The Dutch had an unassailable 2-0 lead, then Rajeev Ram and Jack Sock earned some compensation for the Americans by winning their doubles against Wesley Koolhof and Matwe Middelkoop.
The United States and Netherlands were already assured of reaching the quarterfinals with two wins each in Group D.
As group winner, the Dutch next face the runner-up in Group C, either Australia or Germany.
Also, Croatia defeated Argentina 3-0 for its second win after losing its opener to Italy.
Canada lost to Serbia 2-1 in Valencia but progressed anyway with two wins in Group B.
France defeated Belgium 2-1 in Group C, where Australia and Germany were already assured of reaching the final eight.
Britain was knocked out of the Davis Cup Finals as Andy Murray and partner Joe Salisbury lost a deciding doubles to Dutch pair Wesley Koolhof and Matwe Middelkoop in Glasgow.
Just as against the United States in their opening tie Wednesday, Murray and doubles world number one Salisbury took to the court with the tie locked at 1-1.
They saved a match point in a nerve-jangling second set but eventually succumbed 7-6(0) 6-7(6) 6-3.
“It just sucks, because these matches have come down to a few points and they’ve not gone our way,” Murray said. “I have been fortunate to play a lot of these matches over the years, and, come through them.
“That hasn’t happened this time around, and I feel sad about that, because… I think we had the possibility to have a really good run here.”
While the Dutch celebrated wildly at sealing their place in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2005, Britain was left with their hopes in tatters.
The Dutch pair broke serve to lead 5-3 in the decider and closed it out in nerveless fashion on Koolhof’s serve.
Earlier, Dan Evans had given Britain the lead with a comfortable victory over Tallon Griekspoor, but Cameron Norrie was overpowered by Botic van de Zandschulp.
Murray and Salisbury fell just short again, as they did Wednesday when they lost in three sets to Jack Sock and Rajeev Ram.
Two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the knockout stages to be played in Malaga from Nov. 22 to 27.
Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner, both ranked in the men’s top 15 singles players in the world, powered Italy past Argentina in group A in Bologna.
Berrettini defeated Sebastian Baez 6-2 6-3 to give Italy the lead before Sinner sealed the tie with a 7-5 1-6 6-3 win against Francisco Cerundolo.
The second victory in the week sealed Italy’s spot in the last eight of the men’s competition with Sweden and Croatia vying for the other spot, having picked up one win each.
Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz once again became the toast of Germany, earning the hosts a crunch 4-6 6-2 7-6(5) win against the Belgian pair of Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen in Hamburg.
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