INNSBRUCK/STARNBERG, November 28, 2021
Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz overcame Oliver Marach and and Philipp Oswald 6-3, 6-4 Sunday at the Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals in Group F to book Germany’s spot in the quarterfinals.
The pair did not a face a break point and fired 27 winners to complete Germany’s 2-1 comeback victory against the Austria after one hour and 24 minutes.
Quarterfinal spot clinched ✅
🇩🇪 Germany defeats Austria in doubles to advance at the #DavisCupFinals #byRakuten! pic.twitter.com/iIgJncwp6N
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 28, 2021
“We are definitely pretty happy right now. Deservedly so. I think we deserve to be happy right now and enjoy this one night,” said Puetz. “We handled it pretty well, we played a really good match. Considering all the circumstances, finishing pretty late last night, beating Djokovic and coming back today. I think we did a really good job.”
In the first match of the tie in Innsbruck, Jurij Rodionov beat Dominik Koepfer 6-1, 7-5. The World No. 139 from Austria capitalized on four of his five break-point chances to secure his first Davis Cup match win after one hour and 26 minutes.
“Of course I’m feeling very happy about my performance today, and I’m glad that I could help the team,” said Rodionov. “It’s always special winning the first time on Davis Cup, especially on home soil. Unfortunately without the fans, but I hope I will get the chance to win in front of my fans, as well.”
However, Jan-Lennard Struff then levelled the tie, downing Dennis Novak 7-5, 6-4 in one hour and 13 minutes. Struff broke his opponent’s serve three times and hit 18 winners in his victory.
“It was pretty tough going out there,” said Struff. “0-1, yeah, it was a bit pressure on me, but I think I handled it pretty well today. I went in very aggressive style from first point on, and I think that was the big key to the win today.”
Great Britain advances to quarterfinals
Germany tops Group F after also defeating Serbia 2-1 on Saturday. They will face Great Britain in the quarterfinals in Innsbruck on Tuesday. The Britons defeated the Czech Republic 2-1.
After Dan Evans lost to Tomas Machac, Cameron Norrie won the second singles rubber against Jiri Lehecka before Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski sealed their passage through the doubles against Machac and Jiri Vesely.
The tie between Germany and Great Britain will be a repeat of the 2019 clash. Back then in Madrid, Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans won their matches to send Great Britain through to the semis.
“I’m positive. I have a good feeling. I think we are in a good position,” said Germany’s Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann about his upcoming opponents.
“I am very proud. We came through this tough group. We have nothing to lose. Our goal was to go to Madrid. Now we are still here in Innsbruck. We take it. It’s still there, the goal to go to Madrid.”
