DEFENDING CHAMPS MAKE LAST 8

Davis Cup holders France join Spain, Croatia in quarter-finals

PARIS the cusp of victory on Sunday when Mannarino served for the match at 5-4 in the fourth set, but Haase broke back and won a tiebreak to force a deciding fifth set.

Mannarino, a late call-up after first choices Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Lucas Pouille pulled out injured, kept his nerve though and closed out a thrilling encounter in four hours and 21 minutes.

“It was so close,” said France captain Noah. “I went through all the emotions the whole weekend. I thought we were going to a fifth rubber for sure. I thought we had it in the fourth as (Mannarino) was a break up and playing well.”

France advance to face Italy in the last eight in April, as Fabio Fognini beat Japan’s Yuichi Sugita in five hard-fought sets in Morioka to complete a 3-1 win.

Albert Ramos-Vinolas overcame another battling display from Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the first reverse singles to earn five-time champions Spain a 3-1 victory on the clay in Marbella.

Norrie, 22, had become an instant national hero on Friday when he upset Roberto Bautista Agut, but the Briton was unable to produce another shock as Ramos-Vinolas prevailed 7-6 (74), 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.

“I was more focused in the tie- break and playing a little better in important moments is what decided the match,” said the 21stranked Ramos-Vinolas.

Spain, who were without world No 1 Rafael Nadal, will host Germany for a place in the semi-finals.

German No 1 Alexander Zverev produced some superb tennis to beat Nick Kyrgios 6-2, 7-6 (7-3), 62 to give his country a 3-1 win over Australia in Brisbane.

“(To win) against a very strong Australian team makes us very confident ,” German captain Michael Kohlmann said.

“We showed we have a lot of good, strong players

Borna Coric powered past De- nis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to propel Croatia to a 3-1 success at home to Canada in Osijek, with Kazakhstan — 4-1 winners over Switzerland in Astana — awaiting the 2005 winners in the next round.

Last year’s runners-up Belgium secured victory over Hungary in Liege as world No 7 David Goffin defeated Marton Fucsovics 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in the first reverse singles.

The Belgians will take on the United States in the quarter-finals, after the record 32-time champions ensured qualification following victory over Serbia in the doubles on Saturday. AFP