Without Zverev: Davis Cup team close to victory against Peru
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Düsseldorf (dpa) – Even without the exceptional German talent Alexander Zverev, the Davis Cup team is close to moving into the second qualifying round. At the start of the new season in the prestigious national competition, the tennis team is comfortably leading 2-0 against outsiders Peru after the first two successful singles.
This means that the hosts in Düsseldorf go into the decisive day of the duel with the optimal starting position. The usually reliable doubles Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz can already clear the missing third point for overall success on Saturday (1 p.m./free stream on tennis.de). In the event of a surprising defeat for the duo, two more chances would remain in singles to ensure overall success.
Anything but trembling at the start
On the opening day, neither Yannick Hanfmann nor Jan-Lennard Struff had any doubts about the German victory. In the sold-out Düsseldorf Castello in front of around 3,000 spectators, Hanfmann initially beat Gonzalo Bueno 6:4, 6:4. Struff used the template to take a calming lead with a 6:4, 6:2 against Juan Pablo Varillas.
Even without top player Zverev, who is not there this time after losing the semi-final drama at the Australian Open, the Germans are the clear favorites. Peruvian number one Ignacio Buse is his country’s only player in the top 200 but was not selected for the opening day singles.
“A great start,” Hanfmann summed up. His teammate Struff even finished a quarter of an hour faster during his appearance in just 75 minutes. Struff let Varillas get back to it after a quick 3-0 in the first set, but he didn’t let it irritate him and kept his calm. Two breaks to 3:2 and 5:2 clearly decided the second round.
“He stood in the first 60, fell off a bit, was injured. I knew I had to play with pressure. I did well for long stretches. “On the whole, I’m very happy,” summarized the 35-year-old Sauerlander. “It’s very nice to have a home game again.”
Hanfmann enjoyed the team experience, which is rare for tennis professionals, and was happy to have mastered his nervousness. A key was his dominant service games, in which he gave his 21-year-old opponent no chances. Hanfmann secured the decisive advantages with early breaks to make it 2-1 in the first set and 1-0 in the second set.
«It was emotional for me. The emotions in the Davis Cup are special,” said the 34-year-old.”Especially in indoor tennis, it is important to serve so well. I think that frustrated him too.”
The goal is the first Davis Cup title since 1993
With a win, the German Tennis Federation selection would play against Denmark or Croatia in September for a place in the final round of the best eight nations. “The way we are set up, the way we have performed with the team over the last few years, we are definitely aiming for the final round and we still have to play match by match,” said team boss Michael Kohlmann before the first round encounter.
After two semi-final appearances in the past two years, the team’s main goal is to achieve the first German Davis Cup triumph since 1993. The elimination last November with top star Zverev in the semifinals against Spain was particularly painful.
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