Andorra Men Claim Davis Cup Bronze in Armenia, Women Finish Winless

Andorra's Davis Cup Europe Group IV men's team claimed third place in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia, with a 2-1 win over Iceland in the bronze medal match, extending a run of three straight victories after opening losses. The Billie Jean King Cup Europe Group III women's team ended winless, dropping all three ties in San Marino.

Under captain Jean-Baptiste Poux, the men began with 3-0 defeats to hosts Armenia and Malta. They bounced back Thursday against Albania, securing a 3-0 sweep. Èric Cervós opened with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Mario Zili. Guillem Davasse followed, taking the first set 6-1 against Denis Gaba before prevailing 7-6(2) in a tight second. Cervós and Davasse sealed it in doubles, beating Zili and Alex Prifti 6-3, 6-4. Poux highlighted the morale boost from his tactical switch in singles order, which broke a negative streak and kept promotion hopes alive.

Friday brought a 2-1 edge over San Marino. Cervós crushed Leonardo Bartoletti 6-3, 6-0. Davasse took the first set on tie-break against Filippo Tommesani but fell, forcing doubles where Cervós and Davasse prevailed 6-1, 6-4 over Tommesani and Umberto Vannucci. Poux noted the young group's resilience, leaving them near promotion spots despite Armenia's dominance.

In Saturday's decider, Cervós rallied from a 3-6 first set to defeat Rafn Bonifacius 6-2, 10-7 in the super tie-break. Davasse lost 6-2, 6-0 to Egill Sigurdsson, but Pablo Carrascosa and Cervós won doubles 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 against Bonifacius and Sigurdsson. Poux praised the turnaround: the team progressed from early struggles, winning the final three ties with a youthful squad competitive on the international stage, finishing "right at the door of promotion."

The women, led by Joan Jiménez, lost 2-1 to Luxembourg on day one. Laura Pichel fell 6-0, 6-1 to Eleonora Molinaro, Vicky Jiménez beat Marie Weckerle 6-4, 6-1, but Jiménez and Judit Cartaña dropped doubles 6-3, 6-3.

They fell 2-1 to Estonia next, Pichel losing 6-0, 6-1 to Elizaveta Anikina, Jiménez dominating Elena Malygina 6-0, 4-0 (retired), and Cartaña-Jiménez conceding doubles 6-4, 6-4 to Ingrid Neel and Laura Rahnel.

The final 0-2 loss to Armenia went without doubles. Cartaña fell 3-6, 3-6 to Kristal Dule, Pichel was shut out 0-6, 0-6 by Gresi Bajri, and Jiménez sat out. The squad gained key experience in a developing group.