Germany, as a modest but voracious termite, arrives at the Madrid Arena ready to continue devouring the framework of more powerful teams. She did it in Innsbruck, where she finished undefeated in the group she shared with Austria and Novak Djokovic’s Serbia which he defeated 2-1. And also in the semi-final against Great Britain with Cameron Norrie (12th in the world). Now, he stands in front of the powerful Russia (13:00, Come on). With nothing to lose and just one step from the final.
“We are hungrier, a lot,” warns captain Michael Kohlmann, comfortable in the role of revelation team. Without Alexander Zverev, the number three of the ATP in rebellion against the model implemented by the Kosmos de Piqué Group, its strength is based on the benefits of Jan-Lennard Struff (31 years and 51º), who only lost to Djokovic, and a very solid doubles formed by Kevin Krawietz (14th in pairs) and Tim Puetz (18th), which are not a duo in the circuit but mix perfectly. They count their matches by wins.
“We are aware that we play against Russia, who have four tennis players at the top. Even if two were ill, they would still be a great team. But we were also the weakest against Serbia and Great Britain and we did quite well, “says Kohlman calmly.
Medvedev is 5-2 against Struff, but lost this year on grass to the German leader. “Serve well and go up a lot to the net. I expect a tough battle”, warns the number two in the world, immaculate without losing a set. Meanwhile, Germany hopes to pupate with Dominik Koepfer (54º) or Peter Gojowczyk (85º) and Andrey Rublev (5º), stuck at times and with six matches already in his legs between singles and doubles. “Our number two will be very motivated to win that game,” warns Kohlman. The termite has not finished its work.
