Andorra Davis Cup Team Crushes Albania 3-0 to Revive Promotion Hopes

Andorra's Davis Cup team in Europe Group IV secured its first win of the tournament, defeating Albania 3-0 on Thursday in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia, reviving slim promotion hopes to Group III after opening losses to Armenia and Malta. Two promotion spots remain available in the six-team round-robin event, which concludes June 20 and also includes Iceland and San Marino.

The young squad, captained by Jean Baptiste Poux and featuring Guillem Davasse, Èric Cervós, Iu Blasi and Pablo Carrascosa, had started with 3-0 defeats. On Tuesday, Carrascosa lost 6-1, 6-2 to Armenia's Davit Poghosyan following a tribute to Poux's career. Cervós fell 6-3, 7-5 to Mikayel Avanesyan despite set points in the second. In doubles, Carrascosa and Cervós were beaten 6-2, 6-4 by Samvel Aghayan and Avetik Ghazaryan.

Poux noted missed chances. "We knew many of our options hinged on that match against a direct rival. We had openings, especially Èric's, but couldn't close them," he said.

Malta, led by captain Matthew Asciak with Alex De Gabriele, Liam Delicata and Evan Galea, won Wednesday's tie 3-0. Carrascosa fell 6-1, 6-1 to Delicata. Cervós lost 7-6 (4), 6-3 to De Gabriele after holding first-set points. Poux debuted Blasi alongside Davasse in doubles, where they lost 6-0, 6-2 to Asciak and Galea.

"Malta was a step ahead and will likely promote. We must win our remaining ties and hope for favorable results," Poux said.

Against Albania, Poux adjusted the lineup. Cervós beat Mario Zili 6-3, 6-1. Davasse overcame Zili 6-1, 7-6 (7-2). Cervós and Davasse sealed doubles 6-3, 6-4 over Zili and Alex Prifti.

"We changed strategy, putting Èric at No. 2 and Guillem at No. 1 since he was fresher. It worked well. They played seriously against tough opponents," Poux said. "Coming off a negative dynamic, this victory puts us back in the fight. We need to keep doing our job in the last two ties."

Andorra faces San Marino next, followed by Iceland.

Meanwhile, Andorra's Billie Jean King Cup team in Europe Group III lost 2-1 to Luxembourg on Wednesday at San Marino's Centro Tennis Cassa di Risparmio. Laura Pichel fell 6-0, 6-1 to Eleonora Molinaro. World No. 111 Vicky Jiménez Kasintseva levelled it 6-4, 6-1 over Marie Weckerle. In doubles, Jiménez Kasintseva and Judit Cartañà lost 6-3, 6-3 to Molinaro and Weckerle.

Captain Joan Jiménez called it competitive. "It was closer than the score suggests. We had chances in doubles but lacked experience on key points," he said, praising Luxembourg. The team faces Estonia next after Estonia's 3-0 win over Luxembourg.