BOLOGNA:

Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez helped Spain set up a Davis Cup final with two-time defending champions Italy after eliminating Alexander Zverev's Germany on Saturday.

As in the quarter-final victory against the Czech Republic, qualification came down to the decisive doubles match, in which Granollers and Martinez defeated German pair Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

"I'm really proud of my players, they had to fight to get this far," said Spain captain David Ferrer.

Having rallied after being thoroughly outplayed in the first set, the Germans faltered at the start of the third, losing their serve to love to fall behind 3-1.

Their only break point at 5-3 was saved by an ace from Granollers, and the match ended two points later with a smash from Martinez.

Pabl

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