Thanks to a successful performance from Maximilian Marterer, China’s German Davis Cup men’s team is only one point away from their expected opening-day success. The 29-year-old won 6-4 and 7-5 against Lukas Klein in Zhuhai and gave the Germans the lead after their defeat against Slovakia. “I think that’s a big relief for us,” Marterer said.
Even in the extremely humid conditions of the Hengqin International Tennis Center, the left-hander succeeded with concentrated play. He benefited from a weak serve game and a mistake in the world No. 128. Small at first. World No. 104 Marterer took a break in the first game of the match. He succeeded in maintaining the lead with a strong serve game until he won the set.
Klein improved in the second round, but Marterer secured another break to make it 6:5 and showed great courage and composure during his service in a tight situation at the end of the set.
Two chances for the crucial second point
Yannick Hanfmann will compete against Jozef Kovalik. If Hanfmann loses, the doubles match between Kevin Krowietz and Tim Pütz will be decided. Pütz and Krowietz arrived in China the previous evening after reaching the US Open doubles final.
The decision by the International Tournament Federation (ITF) to host the German group in China has created a travel headache and has drawn much criticism. “I think all the teams here agree that it’s a bit ridiculous to play here,” said team manager Michael Kohlmann.
In addition to Slovakia, Germany is competing with Chile and the United States for the top two spots in Group A. The top two teams in the group will advance to the finals in Malaga, Spain in November.
The German Tennis Association will have to do without its top player Alexander Zverev in the group stage, as well as the injured Jan-Lenard Struff and Dominik Koepfer.
