Cuba to Davis Cup semifinals in group four of the Americas

Havana, August 6 (RHC)-- Cuba advanced to the semifinals of group four in the American zone of the Davis Cup Rakuten 2022 tennis tournament, despite losing on Thursday and resting on Friday.

The Nicaraguan team was obliged to sweep their similar Aruba, the only undefeated team in section B, to displace the Cubans from the second place in the standings, but ended up losing 1-2.

With that, the Cuban team advanced to the play-offs, where they will compete against Bermuda, first in the A section, in search of reaching the final. 

The rivals of the team captained by Wilfredo Henry will be the most interesting duel of the sudden death, since both teams appear as the best ranked in the Davis Cup ranking: Bermuda in the 88th position and Cuba in the 92nd position.

With eight points in favor and four matches lost, the Cubans face a difficult match in which the performance of their first racket, Osmel Rivera, will be vital. 

With an excellent performance in the tournament and experienced in these matters, Rivera took advantage of the day off to recover from hip discomfort.

It will also be very important the result he can achieve in doubles with his partner Yoan Perez, who fell in one of the matches held so far, precisely on Thursday, when they lost their undefeated record and the lead against Aruba.

The other semifinal will have as contenders Aruba, first of the B key, and Honduras, second of the A key. The winners of both matches will automatically advance to the American group three of the competition in its next edition.