VALENCIA, April 7, 2018
Tim Pütz and Jan-Lennard Struff give Germany a 2-1 lead over Spain after Saturday’s doubles rubber in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas quarterfinal clash in Valencia. The duo battled past Feliciano López and Marc López 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-5 in a thrilling encounter inside a packed Plaza de Toros.
Marc López got broken in the decisive 11th game of the final set and Pütz served the match out in the following. Four hours and 40 minutes lasted the encounter.
They’ve done it! What an upset! Germany takes a 2-1 lead against Spain after @Struffitennis and @GoldenSetTim defeat Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez 63 64 36 67(4) 75
1⃣2⃣ #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/g4tkLiUQb6
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) 7. April 2018
“It was a very intense match and it was tough to lose the third and fourth set. The atmosphere heated up but we tried to stay calm. We spoke a lot together, motivating each other. We both did a great job,” Struff said.
“It could have gone either way in the fifth set. Both teams had a lot of chances. We were fortunate in the end,” Pütz added.
“That is what Davis Cup is all about. In doubles it is very tough to change back momentum. It was an even match, we got a bit lucky, but it feels great.”,” Germany’s team captain Michael Kohlmann stated.
“This is one of the toughest losses I had in Davis Cup,” a disappointed Felicano López said. “We managed to come back after two sets down and we were better in the fourth and fifth set. I think we deserved to win. But we couldn’t make the break and lost.”
The tie will continue on Sunday with the reverse singles rubbers when Rafael Nadal will take on Alexander Zverev and David Ferrer is scheduled to face Philipp Kohlschreiber. Yet, the World No. 1 must secure victory in a blockbuster with the German young gun to force a decisive fifth rubber. Spain currently hold a 26-tie winning streak on home soil.
