Rublev and Karatsev send Russia and Serbia into quarterfinals while eliminating defending Davis Cup champions Spain

It was a very long day in the Davis Cup Finals but we finally know which two nations are through to the quarterfinals.

After complicating things considerably for Russia earlier in the day Andrey Rublev got his revenge over Feliciano Lopez in front of the native Spanish fans in Madrid. The score between Russia and Spain was tied at 1-1 heading into the doubles match and the winner of the match would move on to the semifinals. Another nation, Serbia awaited the score as well with a place in the quarterfinal guaranteed for them in certain situations.

They needed Russia to beat Spain and the Russians were able to do it. The start of the match was quite grim for the Russian was the Spaniards were able to hold them off initially despite a hard push by Rublev and Karatsev. Lopez played a brilliant game at 5-4 to win the set for the Spaniards 6-4. The Madrid crowd was on their feet with Spain one set away from the quarterfinals.

The Russians stormed back quickly in the 2nd set winning it with 6-2 and the final set featured strong play by both. Neither team was able to find a breakthrough early but late in the set, it was the Russians who were able to create a lot of pressure getting a break point chance. They took it to win the set with 6-4 and move on.

The victory also propels Serbia to the quarterfinals as one of the best 2nd placed teams while eliminating the defending champion Spain from the competition.