INNSBRUCK/STARNBERG, November 28, 2021
Germany prevailed in their opening tie in Group F of the Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals, winning 2-1 over Serbia on Saturday evening.
It was half past 11 pm local time in Innsbruck, Austria, when Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz secured the final point for their team in the deciding doubles rubber by converting their third match point against Novak Djokovic and Nikola Cacic. The Germans came back from a set down in the final set to seal a 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(5) victory in two hours and 16 minutes.
Doubles delight 🙌
It’s victory for Germany as Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz defeat Cacic and Djokovic in three sets!#DavisCupFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/RNHmf0lqB4
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 27, 2021
“We tried to stay in the game. We were a break down in the third set. We just continued competing and it worked out,” said two-time Roland-Garros doubles champion Krawietz.
“We known each other for many years. We also played a few tournaments together. That helped tremendously. We also get along very well off the court. Playing together feels pretty natural. There is not much of getting used to each other. We trust each other and it paid off in the end,” Puetz added.
“It s a great performance to beat a team with the World No. 1. It’s unreal but we always believed that we can do it,” Germany’s Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann said.
Koepfer earns first point, Djokovic draws level
Earlier in the day, Dominik Koepfer overpowered Filip Krajinovic 7-6(4), 6-4 in one hour and 57 minutes with a spirited performance in the first singles rubber.
“Obviously it is an important point knowing that Struff is playing against Djokovic, always a tough task to ask for,” Koefper said after the match. “That’s why I’m super happy that I got through, got it done in two sets.”
In the second singles rubber, Djokovic celebrated his seventh win over Jan-Lennard Struff in as many meetings between the two to draw level for Serbia. The World No. 1 didn’t face a break point and converted three of his own six break-point chances to succeed after one hour and 13 minutes.
“I started well, won the opening eight points and managed to hold serve throughout but Struff improved in the second set,” said Djokovic.
Germany will next play Austria on Sunday afternoon. They are bidding to reach the quarterfinals for the third consecutive season. Wild card entries Serbia are seeking to reach the stage of the final eight teams for the second year in a row and for the fifth time since 2015.
