Davis Cup in tennis: Marterer brings German team into the lead

Tennis professional Maximilian Marterer got off to a successful start at the Davis Cup in Zhuhai, China, against Slovakia.

Marterer won 6:4, 7:5 against Lukas Klein on Tuesday (September 10, 2024) in Zhuhai, China, after a concentrated performance and secured the first point for team boss Michael Kohlmann’s team.It is a great relief. I hope we continue like this“, said Marterer.

Karlsruhe’s Yannick Hanfmann can now complete the opening victory against Slovakia in the second singles match against Jozef Kovalik. The best two teams from the group of four will advance to the final round in Malaga, Spain, in November. Other German group members are Chile (Thursday) and the USA (Saturday), who are also weakened by a lack of replacements.

Kohlmann will have to do without his top players in China. Alexander Zverev had to cancel his participation by chance, and Jan-Lennard Struff and Dominik Koepfer have to miss out due to injury.

Double Krawietz/Pütz only arrived on Monday evening

Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz arrived on Monday evening after a 15-hour intercontinental flight from New York, where they played for the title in the final of the US Open on Saturday. Henri Squire is taking part as a debutant.

Criticism of the Davis Cup in China

The German Tennis Association (DTB) had previously criticized the hosting of the group phase in China, especially since the host is not even there. Kohlmann spoke of an “arduous journey” to humid Zhuhai and the “huge effort” that this entails. The other group phases will be held in Bologna, Manchester and Valencia.