Frances Tiafoe lost for the second consecutive time in the Davis Cup final, after a violation of the code of conduct during a match point, when she threw her racket against the court following a disagreement with the referee. chair.
Tiafoe’s 6-3, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2) loss to Tallon Griekspoor helped the Netherlands beat the United States 2-1 in Group D, with matches being played at Split.
Tiafoe became furious because he wanted a point replayed, following a challenge to the linesman’s decision. He argued unsuccessfully with the chair umpire, returned to the court and slammed the racket four times.
It was his second code violation and he lost the point and the match, as he trailed 6-2 in the tiebreaker.
“The end of the match is extremely unfortunate. There were a lot of things that came out with the 5-2 decision,” Tiafoe said. “Obviously I could have reacted in a better way, but emotions were the limit. I’m competing for my country and I really want to win. I broke a racket and forgot that I had already committed a code violation. The game is over. I gave everything, but this sequence in Croatia was difficult for me.
Botic van de Zandschulp defeated Tommy Paul 7-6 (2), 6-2 in the first singles match. The United States then won the doubles, with Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram beating Wesley Koolhof and Matwe Middelkoop 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-3.
Tiafoe, who reached the quarterfinals of the US Open this month, lost to Croatian Borna Gojo on Wednesday. The Americans won 2-1.
The Netherlands started with a victory against Finland and now leads the group.
Canada, the defending champion, beat Sweden 3-0 to take the lead in Group A.
Gabriel Diallo ensured the Canadians’ victorious day by winning 6-4, 6-3 at the expense of Elias Ymer. Vasek Pospisil gave Canada a 1-0 lead by beating Leo Borg 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-2.
Borg is the son of 11-time Grand Slam champion Bjon Borg. Canada won the doubles match in straight sets.
The Monarchs opened the final with a 3-0 victory over host Italy on Wednesday in Bologna. Sweden was swept by Chile on Tuesday.
Australia came back to beat France 2-1. Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell beat Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 7-5, 6-3 in the decisive Group B doubles match in Manchester.
In singles, Adrian Mannarino beat Purcell, while Alex de Minaur beat Ugo Humbert.
The Czech Republic beat South Korea 3-0 in Group C, based in Valencia.
The top two from each of the four groups will advance to the round of eight finalists, which will take place in November in the Spanish city of Malaga.
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