The injured Olympic champion is amazed: Even without the injured Alexander Zverev, the German Davis Cup team can do something historic. The 2-1 win over France is nothing but tennis history and the first win against their neighbors in 84 years.
Historic success even without Alexander Zverev: With the injured Olympic champion and self-proclaimed “cheerleader” in the box, the German Davis Cup team surprisingly defeated France 2-1 at the start of the intermediate round in Hamburg – and an 84-year dry spell in this Competition against neighboring country ended.
In the final doubles, Kevin Krawietz from Coburg and Frankfurt’s Tim Pütz ended a series of failures that went back to 1938. The DTB duo prevailed against Nicolas Mahut and Arthur Rinderknech 6:2, 3:6, 7:6 (7:1). Local hero Zverev previously had to watch powerlessly as Oscar Otte was unable to use an early decision in favor of the hosts. The Cologne native quarreled, lamented and had no chance against Adrian Mannarino. After 80 minutes, the Frenchman left the field with 6:4, 6:3 as a well-deserved winner, he ended the game with a stop worth seeing.
Zverev’s help for Otte was therefore ineffective. “We discussed a few tactical things,” said Germany’s number one before the game, but the 29-year-old Otte was unable to implement the most important advice. Zverev said: “Oscar has to play his game”. That’s exactly what Otte didn’t do. “I could have imagined a better Davis Cup debut, but I didn’t think it was a bad performance,” said number 52 in the world after the one-sided match. Otte also failed in the first round at the US Open in New York.
Experienced Jan-Lennard Struff had already made a positive impression in the afternoon by putting the hosts in the lead. The 32-year-old from Warstein prevailed against Benjamin Bonzi in a hard-fought game 6:4, 2:6, 7:5. After 2:13 hours, Struff converted his fourth match point, stormed jubilantly to the net and visibly enjoyed the applause of the audience. “It was a victory for Germany that means a lot to me. And a nice feeling after a tough season with many bad defeats,” said number 132 in the world after the close match.
Struff had to fend off two match balls against Bonzi, who was six years younger, but caught himself at the right moment. He sealed his hard-earned triumph with an ace and was then visibly relieved: “For me personally, this win was really important.”
In their second match, the German tennis pros will meet Belgium on Friday (2 p.m. / ServusTV and DAZN). Exactly 48 hours later, Australia is the last German opponent. The two best teams qualify for the final round from November 22nd to 27th in Malaga.
