Rafael Nadal in professional tennis, 80th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp, converted his 10th match point Friday to finally close out a 6-4, 6-7 (12), 6-3 victory over Daniel Altmaier and help the Netherlands reach its first Davis Cup final by sweeping Germany.

The victory against Australia has brought Italy to the second consecutive Davis Cup final. Now focus on the next opponent: the Netherlands. Davis Cup, Italy's opponents in the final The Dutch

The Netherlands moved to the brink of their first Davis Cup final as Botic Van de Zandschulp held his nerve to beat Germany's Daniel Altmaier 6-4 6-7(12) 6-3 on Friday.

Italy overwhelmed Australia in the Davis Cup semi-finals to keep their title defence on track, winning 2-0 to set up a final with the Netherlands.

Rafael Nadal has lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals in what could be the last match of the 22-time Grand Slam champion's career.

Australia's hopes of reaching the Davis Cup final fall short after semi-final singles defeats for Alex de Minaur and Thanasi Kokkinakis against Italy.

Nadal won 22 Grand Slam titles in his career and retires as one of the greatest men's tennis players of all time.

Germany blanked Canada 2-0, while Netherlands spoiled Rafael Nadal's farewell party to enter the last-four stage of Davis Cup Final 8

Rafael Nadal’s coach has described the Spaniard’s farewell ceremony at the Davis Cup as ‘scruffy and shabby’. Nadal played the final match of his career on Tuesday night as he lost in straight sets to Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup quarter final in Malaga.