PARIS: Germany swept past Chile to keep their perfect record after two ties in the Davis Cup group stage finals on Thursday.
Despite the absence of their top four players, including world number two Alexander Zverev, the Germans dominated their Group C tie 3-0 in Zhuhai, China. The group also includes the United States and Slovakia.
"Before our first match we said 'okay we need six matches out of nine'," said Germany captain Michael Kohlmann. Germany also beat Slovakia 3-0 on Tuesday.
"Now we have won six out of six. I think that's pretty impressive."
Maximilian Marterer, ranked 104, and 96th-ranked Yannick Hanfmann won their singles ties in straight sets.
Marterer beat Tomas Barrios Vera and Hanfmann eased past 22nd-ranked Alejandro Tabilo 7-5, 6-4.
In the doubles, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz then teamed up to beat Barrios Vera and Matias Soto 6-1, 6-3.
"Our singles guys did a phenomenal job," said Puetz. "Having won two ties 3-0, I think we're in pretty good shape."
Germany will next play the United States, 32-time champions, on Saturday. Chile who lost 3-0 to the United States on Wednesday play Slovakia on Sunday.
On Wednesday, Carlos Alcaraz returned to action after his shock US Open loss to help Spain get off to a winning start in the Davis Cup on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old French Open and Wimbledon winner was knocked out of the Flushing Meadows Grand Slam in the second round last month.
With time on his hands he made an impromptu trip to Monza to watch the Formula One Italian Grand Prix then was back on court in Valencia as Spain opened their group stage finals campaign against the Czech Republic.
Roberto Bautista Agut bagged Spain's first point with a 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka.
Alcaraz then entered the fray, recovering from a 6-7 (3/7) first-set loss to Tomas Machac to wipe the floor in the second 6-1 before Machac retired.
Alcaraz followed that up by partnering Marcel Granollers to a tense 6-7 (2/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) doubles win over Jakub Mensik and Adam Pavlasek to claim the Group B tie 3-0.
Over in Manchester, Britain beat Finland 2-1 thanks to singles wins from Dan Evans and Billy Harris.
And in Bologna, defending champions Italy, without newly minted US champion Jannik Sinner, secured a win over Brazil thanks to singles victories for Matteo Berrettini and Matteo Arnaldi.
The top two nations in each of the four groups in the round robin phase will qualify for the eight-team final in Malaga, Spain from November 19-24. -- AFP
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