The German Davis Cup team made a great start to the new final tournament in Madrid and the quarter-finals close to their eyes. The selection of the German Tennis Federation (DTB) defeated Argentina 3-0 in their first game in Group C on Wednesday, even before the final doubles Germany had been unassailable forward.
Thus on Thursday against Chile already a match win for group victory and the associated entry into the knockout round. The Argentinians had won their opening match against Chile 3-0 on Tuesday. The Davis Cup will be held for the first time as a week-long final tournament. The new mode is controversial, Germany's number one Alexande4r Zverev therefore waives a participation.
Jan-Lennard Struff surprised with the 6: 3, 7: 6 (10: 8) against the favored Diego Schwartzman, previously had veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber his team with a feat of strength at 1: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4 against Guido Pella brought into the lead. The French Open winners Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies followed up the night with a nerve-racking 6: 7 (4: 7), 7: 6 (7: 2), 7: 6 (20:18) against Maximo Gonzalez / Leonardo Mayer ,
Allegation of distortion of competition
Nevertheless, the joy was not unclouded: Struff fiercely criticized the Canadian team for distorting competition. The Canadians had on Tuesday through the two victorious singles against the United States made the premature entry into the quarter-finals and were the final doubles no longer started. "I just do not like it," Struff complained. "I could not believe it when I read it."
In addition to the winners of the six groups of three qualify for the premiere of the final tournament in Madrid, the two best second for the quarter-finals. It's "absolutely incredible," Struff said, "in this mode, the US is simply given a point and they have 2-0 sets and 12-0 games, which just can not be."
Superstars Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray joined Struff. "I personally do not like that," said 16-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic on the Canadian approach: "I think that should not be allowed, I do not think that's fair." Even two-time Olympic champion Murray was of the opinion that Canada's renunciation was "not good". "They would have had a two-day break anyway," the Brit said, "that's why they should have played the game."
