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Tim Pütz watches his doubles partner Kevin Krawietz at the volley
Photo:
Frank Molter / dpa
The weakened German Davis Cup team has successfully started the group phase.
In front of their home crowd at Hamburg's Rothenbaum, the German team won 2-1 against France and thus has a good starting position for a place in the finals in Malaga at the end of November.
Jan-Lennard Struff laid the foundation for the success against the French, who also did not have the best cast, in the first individual.
Struff, who was only able to win two matches on the ATP tour this season due to injury, defeated Benjamin Bonzi in an exciting game after defending against two match points 6: 4, 2: 6, 7: 5.
“It was a crazy match with lots of ups and downs.
For me, the biggest thing is to win for Germany and get the 1-0 lead here," said Struff after the success.
On the edge of the field, Alexander Zverev cheered after the converted match ball.
The German number one, who made another injury public earlier this week and cannot compete in Hamburg, had announced that he wanted to support the team as a “cheerleader in the best sense of the word”.
Otte had no chance against Mannarino
In the second single, Oscar Otte met Adrian Mannarino as the new number one and the French veteran showed a routine and concentrated performance.
Otte, who has also been struggling with the effects of an injury in recent weeks, showed a lack of match practice - Mannarino won 6-4, 6-3 and equalized for France.
The decision had to be made in doubles and here the German team showed their usual strength.
Team boss Michael Kohlmann had nominated Tim Pütz and Kevin Krawietz, who don't play together on the tour, but are both excellent doubles specialists.
In a close match, Pütz/Krawietz won against Nicolas Mahut and Arthur Rinderknech 6:2, 3:6, 7:6.
Germany meets Belgium in the second group game on Friday.
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