Dutch beat Americans to finish top of Davis Cup Finals group
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 on Saturday.
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.
The U.S. will play the Group A winner, most likely Italy. The Italians play on Sunday in Bologna against Sweden.
Also on Saturday, 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.
Golf
FITZPATRICK LEADS BY ONE >>
Even the wind couldn't thwart U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick at the Italian Open.
Fitzpatrick will head into the final round in the lead and aiming to go one better than three years ago after coping with challenging conditions to post an impressive 2-under 69 and edge clear of Rory McIlroy and Aaron Rai.
Fitzpatrick, who claimed his first major title in June at Brookline, is playing the Italian Open for the seventh time. He finished second in 2019.
MLB
YANKEES' MONTAS UNDERGOING MRI >>
New York Yankees right-hander Frankie Montas will undergo an
MRI on his shoulder a day after lasting just 3 1/3 innings in a 7-6 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Montas has gone 1-3 with a 6.35 ERA in eight starts for the Yankees, who acquired him for four prospects in an Aug. 1 trade with the Oakland Athletics.
Yankees manager Aaron
Boone said Montas mentioned the shoulder issue after Friday's game. Montas struck out two, walked four and allowed four hits as the Yankees squandered an early 5-0 lead.
NFL
FALCONS PUT WILLIAMS ON IR >>
The Atlanta Falcons
placed backup running back Damien Williams on injured reserve with a rib injury.
Williams was expected to be the primary backup to starter Cordarrelle Patterson before he suffered the injury on Atlanta's second possession of last week's 27-26 season-opening loss to New Orleans. Williams had only two carries for 2 yards before suffering the injury. He will miss at least four games. TITANS PAIR OUT MONDAY >> The Tennessee Titans ruled starting cornerback Kristian Fulton and running back Dontrell Hilliard out for Monday night's game in Buffalo because of hamstring injuries.
Neither player practiced all week. Reserve guard Jamarco Jones also was ruled out after missing practice Friday and Saturday because of an elbow injury.
BILLS THIN UPFRONT >> Bills starting defensive tackle Ed Oliver was ruled out and his backup, Tim Settle, listed as doubtful, leaving Buffalo potentially thin in the middle against running back Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans on Monday night.
Oliver has been sidelined since hurting his ankle in a season-opening 31-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 8. Settle practiced on a limited basis after missing Buffalo's previous two practices with a calf injury.