Tennis: Without Zverev, with debut: Davis Cup team is in the final round

First the double Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz made the decision against Japan with the mandatory task. Then the two celebrated 17-year-old Justin Engel with a water shower after his dream debut. Even without the world ranking third Alexander Zverev, the German tennis team in Tokyo has made it into the final round against the host-and has been able to dream of the first Davis Cup triumph since 1993.

In Bologna Italian, Krawietz, Pütz and Co. as well as for seven other teams from November 18 to 23, the title – possibly again with Zverev, who had canceled for the duel with Japan for stress reasons. In addition, Daniel Altmaier had to do without a muscle injury.

But even without the two top players, the German team achieved an overall sovereign success. Krawietz and Pütz met their favorite role at 6: 3, 7: 6 (7: 4) against the Japanese double Yosuke Watanuki and Takeru Yuzuki and in the second qualification round won the decisive point for the German team to 3: 0.

Only Becker was younger than angel

Because the progress was determined, the German Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann set up Justin Engel for the third single at short notice. At 6: 3, 6: 7 (2: 7), 10: 7 against the Japanese Rei Sakamoto, he celebrated a successful premiere, made it 4-0 perfect and, as the second youngest German player in history, competed in a Davis Cup match. Only Boris Becker was younger.

Angel turns 18 on October 1. Becker had given his Davis Cup debut in March 1985. The tennis legend was just 17 years and a little more than three months old when he defeated the Spaniard Juan Aguilera in Sindelfingen in Swabia.

Struff and Hanfmann lay the foundation stone

Jan-Lennard Struff and Yannick Hanfmann won their singles on Friday in the German Davis Cup preservation. Struff fought in a close opening match Yoshihito Nishioka 6: 4, 6: 7 (4: 7), 6: 4. “There were many very, very close situations that could have been going in the other. In this respect, I think we could not have complained if it is 1-1 after the first day,” said Kohlmann.

Hanfmann had defeated Shintaro Mochizuki 6: 3, 6: 3 and thus easily provided the second point. “I thought Yannick played it very, very, very strongly from the first to the last ball,” Kohlmann praised.

Krawietz/Pütz defend three set balls

The 51-year-old then spoke of a “great starting point” that Krawietz and Pütz also used. The world-class double in the game against Watanuki and Yuzuki was initially the superior duo.

They quickly made the break to 3: 1. In the meantime, the Japanese came up again, but with the third set ball, the ATP final champions from last year secured the first round.

In the second set, a balanced match developed. Both duos each achieved a break before Krawietz/Pütz were able to ward off three set balls at 5: 6 and saved themselves in the tie -break. There they gave the Japanese no chance. “We played very well in the crucial moments. And that was the key to success,” said Pütz.

Does Zverev return to the team for final round?

He and his double partner Krawietz should also be a double in the final round. If Kohlmann also nominates, it will also depend on whether Zverev gives his promise. The Olympic champion of Tokyo 2021 was not there at the first qualification round at the beginning of the year in the 3-1 team of the German team against Israel.