FRANKFURT, January 24, 2017

Germany’s Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann announced Tuesday that Alexander Zverev, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Jan-Lennard Struff and Mischa Zverev have been selected to play the World Group first round tie against Belgium, held at the Fraport Arena in Frankfurt from 3 to 5 February.

“We will compete with the best possible squad,” Kohlmann told during a press conference at Frankfurt’s City Hall. The team will be led by Sascha Zverev, who impressed with a very competitive performance against Rafael Nadal in the third round of the Australian Open. The 19-year-old from Hamburg eventually lost in five sets.

“It is really impressive to see the fast development of Sascha. Due to his decent matches in Melbourne, Sascha is getting closer to show his potential at the major events, which is his main goal,” told Kohlmann.

Sascha’s older brother Mischa Zverev stunned the tennis world by knocking out World No. 1 Andy Murray in the fourth round before he fell to Roger Federer in his first ever Grand Slam quarterfinal. “To beat the world’s best tennis player is something special and I hope that he will be able to transfer his great form to the Davis Cup,” Germany’s captain said.

Kohlschreiber will make his 18th appearance at the Davis Cup. “Philipp showed some very solid tennis in Australia and lost to Monfils, who had been a tricky opponent for him in the past, but he showed that he is still one of the best players in the world. He represents an important support within our team and always gives his best at the Davis Cup.”

The quartet is completed by Jan-Lennard Struff, who won the decisive singles rubber in the Play-Offs against Poland last year. The 26-year-old from Warstein finished runner-up at the ATP Challenger in Canberra earlier this season.

Belgium’s captain Johan van Herck picked World No. 11 David Goffin, veteran Steve Darcis, Koblenz Open champion Ruben Bemelmans and 23-year-old Joris de Loore for the tie.

Pilic Resigns Consultancy Work 

Niki Pilic announced that he has ended his consultancy work with the German Davis Cup Team. “I spent a wonderful time with the players as well as the resonsible persons from the German Tennis Federation (DTB). However, I decided to spend more time with my family in the future and do not want to travel that much anymore. I wish the team all the best for their tie against Belgium,” the former Davis Cup captain stated.