World Cup: Germany, Sweden and Netherlands Make History in Doha

The men's quarter-final line-up at the FIP World Cup in Doha is complete, and it carries a historic twist. According to tournament reports, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands have all reached the last eight of a men's World Cup for the first time, joining the usual heavyweights after the final group matchday on Wednesday, 4 November.

The quarter-finals are played today, Thursday, 5 November, at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, with the men's ties scheduled from 16:00 Spanish time. The pairings: Spain vs Brazil, Argentina vs Germany, Italy vs Sweden and Portugal vs Netherlands.

Spain cruise, Argentina survive a scare

Spain wrapped up Group B with a third straight win, dismantling the United Arab Emirates 3-0 without any drama. Juan Lebrón and Javier Leal opened with a 6-0, 6-1 win, Francisco Navarro and Jon Sanz followed 6-0, 6-2, and Miguel Yanguas and Jorge Nieto closed it out 6-1, 6-1. That sets up a quarter-final on Centre Court against Brazil, who finished second in Group D after a 2-1 defeat to Italy, a tie in which Lucas Bergamini and his partner lost their rubber 6-4, 6-3.

Defending champions Argentina also finished with a 3-0 win, against France, but the scoreline flattered them. Agustin Tapia and Valentino Libaak dropped the opening set 5-7 to Maxime Joris and Timéo Fonteny before recovering 6-3, 6-4. Federico Chingotto and Franco Stupaczuk (6-2, 6-1) and Martin Di Nenno with Gonzalo Alfonso (6-2, 6-2) were rather more comfortable. Argentina topped Group A ahead of the Netherlands.

Three nations write new chapters

The Dutch sealed their place by sweeping Australia 3-0. Sweden, beaten by Spain in their opening tie, bounced back with a 2-1 win over Paraguay to take second place in Group B behind the Spaniards. Germany needed a decider against hosts Qatar and got it.

Agustin Reca and Matthias Wunner laid the foundation for the Germans with a 6-1, 6-1 victory, but Johannes Lindmeyer and Benjamin Fitzon let a one-set lead slip, losing 6-2, 3-6, 4-6. With the tie level, Christian Böhnke and Nick Merten held their nerve to win 6-3, 6-2. Germany finish second in Group C behind Portugal, who edged Chile 2-1 to win the group.

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The reward for Pablo Pelassini's German side is the toughest draw possible: the defending champions, a nation that has historically dominated the World Cup alongside Spain. Sweden face a group winner too in Italy, who lost only one rubber in their three group ties.

Women's tournament already under way

The women's quarter-finals start earlier, at 12:00 Spanish time. Spain, who swept Brazil 3-0 on Wednesday to finish top of Group A, meet Sweden; Argentina play Portugal; the Netherlands take on France; and Italy face Brazil. Germany's women, beaten 0-3 by Great Britain, finished bottom of their group and go into the classification round for places nine to sixteen, where they meet Indonesia.

The finals are scheduled for Saturday, 7 November. Whatever happens on court today, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands have already gone further at a men's World Cup than any of their previous teams.