Spain makes it to the Davis Cup final for the first time since 2006, despite not having Carlos Alcaraz.

SPAIN will face reigning champions Italy in Sunday’s Davis Cup final after beating Germany in a deciding doubles match – despite the absence of injured world number one and six-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz.

It is the first time that six-time champions Spain have reached the final of the ‘World Cup of Tennis’ since 2019.

They will face off against Italy – themselves without world number two and arch Alcaraz rival Jannik Sinner – who reached their third consecutive final after winning a tie-break against Belgium on Friday.

This will be the first time since 2006 that Spain and Italy will meet in a team event.

CARLITO AWAY: READ MORE Carlos Alcaraz will be the new World No. 1 if he makes it to Marbella, Spain this weekend.

Pablo Carreno Busta, who defeated Jan-Lennard Strauff in the singles opening match of Saturday’s semi final, gave Spain an early lead.

But German world number three Alexander Zverev – the only top-ten men’s singles player competing at the finals – levelled proceedings with a tight 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-5) victory over Spain’s Jaume Munar.

In the final doubles match, Spain’s Marcel Granollers won 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 against Germany’s Kevin Krawietz.

David Ferrer is the captain of Spain’s team. He said: “I am very proud of my athletes, they have fought so hard to be here.

“We are very excited but need to relax and prepare for the final.

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“Italy has very good players.” The Italians do not have Jannik […] We also don’t have Carlos. I am certain that we will compete.”

Alcaraz has been forced to miss the David Cup finals this year after being diagnosed with bone edema following a match last week against Sinner.

The 22-year-old star, who was born in Murcia, announced on Thursday that he would be unable to represent Spain in the Davis Cup at Bologna.

I have swelling in my right leg hamstring, and the doctor has advised me not to play. I’ve always said playing for Spain was the best thing in the world and I really looked forward to helping my team win the trophy.”

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