Monday 29 November 2021
Djokovic and Austria defeated
“Hot” DTB team wants more than revenge
The German Davis Cup team gets the chance to take revenge for the end of the last edition of the competition in two close preliminary round games. The strong double ensures the decision against Austria. Even the best player in the world cannot fool that.
After moving into the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup, the German tennis men still haven’t had enough. Even without world-class player Alexander Zverev, it should work again for the first time since 2007 with the jump into the top four of the prestigious nations competition. “We have the chance to get to the semi-finals, that’s our goal,” said team boss Michael Kohlmann. “Very, very hot” you are of course on the upcoming task, said victory guarantee Kevin Krawietz.
With the somewhat surprising opening success against the Serbian selection around top star Novak Djokovic and the 2-1 after falling behind against Austria, Germany entered the knockout round as group F winners. Germany will play against Great Britain on Tuesday (4 p.m.) for the semi-finals. Two years ago Germany was eliminated by the British in the round of the top eight. “We now have the chance to take revenge,” said Kohlmann: “I’m positive. I have a good feeling.”
“A lot of pressure has built up”
Since 2007, when Philipp Kohlschreiber and the long-retired Tommy Haas, Alexander Waske and Philipp Petzschner narrowly missed the final in Russia, the German Davis Cup team has not been in the top four. With a strong double and as a conspiratorial bunch, it should finally work again without Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev. “The goal is still to come to Madrid,” emphasized team boss Michael Kohlmann. There would be the semifinals.
In preparation for the duel with the favored Brits, there was a shorter training session on Monday. In the afternoon the entourage will return to the “snowed in” hotel, reported DTP sports director Klaus Eberhard. On Sunday after the 2: 1 against the clear outsider Austria, Krawietz grinned when asked about the program for the day off and imitated a swimming movement with his arms. Pütz had agreed with a smile that the hotel pool was nice.
The Olympic doubles also get along wonderfully off the field. The doubles specialists, who were both undefeated in the Davis Cup, had secured the decisive point to make it 2-1 at the weekend in the coup against top star Novak Djokovic and his Serbian tennis colleagues as well as against Austria. They could also become the decisive factor against the British if Jan-Lennard Struff (51st) or Dominik Koepfer (54th) managed to win the individual against the better positioned Cameron Norrie (12th) and Daniel Evans (25th).
Everyone has respect for doubles
However: The British also have a world-class double with Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski. “We just have to do our job again, then we have a very, very good chance,” said Kohlmann and named a plus point compared to previous years: “It’s important that the guys have a good mood among each other. That there is no envy is.”
In a friendship duel during training in Innsbruck, in his opinion, the split was “in a draw”, said Eberhard: “We are hard to beat. We have a very good pair, everyone has respect for that.” The total chances are 50:50. The double strength has gained in importance in the much-criticized new mode and has distinguished the Germans for years. Since 2017, when Alexander and Mischa Zverev had to admit defeat, no doubles have been lost. According to the team, the team has accepted that Alexander Zverev is recovering while his colleagues from the Olympics are fighting for the semifinals. “He briefly wrote congratulations,” said Krawietz: “As far as I know, he’s on vacation and we’re here, and we’re looking forward to Tuesday.” Two years ago, the British blocked the Germans’ way to the semi-finals.
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