After the sovereign group phase in the Davis Cup, team boss Michael Kohlmann sees a big challenge in quarter-final opponents Canada.
After the sovereign group phase in the Davis Cup, team boss Michael Kohlmann sees a big challenge in quarter-final opponents Canada.
“They have two world-class players in Denis Shapovalov and Félix Auger-Aliassime,” said the 48-year-old. “It’s definitely a Herculean task when they’re at their best. But we don’t have to hide. We’ve shown that we can win against big teams.” In addition, he does not believe that Canada will compete with the best squad. Germany will face the North Americans in the Final 8 in Malaga on November 24th.
The German tennis men had mastered the group phase in Hamburg unbeaten even without their star Alexander Zverev, who had an injured foot. They will probably have to do without the 25-year-old in Spain as well. “Sascha has had a few visits to the doctor, but the exact therapy instructions are probably not there yet. He has to rest now,” said Kohlmann. Zverev himself spoke of a downtime of several weeks, so that the final tournament of the Davis Cup is likely to come too early.
Kohlmann also advocated a rule change for the draw. This year it was already clear before the group phase which opponents you would meet if you were successful. “You definitely have to stop that. Several nations have already said that and I think that has arrived at the ITF,” said Kohlmann. The draw for the quarter-finals should only be made when all teams have been determined.
Source: Stern
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