Germany takes a 2-1 lead over Spain, France does the same against Italy

Germany picked up a critical doubles win at Spain on Saturday afternoon, taking a 2-1 lead in their Davis Cup quarterfinal tie on the red clay of Valencia. Jan-Lennard Struff and Tim Puetz survived a 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(4), 7-5 thriller against Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez after four hours and 40 minutes.

Struff and Puetz fought off five break points to stay on serve in the final set before earning a crucial break of Marc Lopez at 5-5.

“That was a very tough match,” Struff commented. “We were always trying to motivate each other. “We had to push each other and try to play more calm in the fifth set. I’m just so happy we managed to get the win today. It’s one of the greatest matches of my career, for sure.”

“That is what Davis Cup is all about,” Germany captain Michael Kohlmann added. “In doubles it is very tough to change back momentum so we had to go back to basics (after the third and fourth sets), as Marc Lopez in particular was playing unbelievable tennis. It was 50-50 in the end; we got a bit lucky, but it feels great.”

In Genova, Italy, meanwhile, the host national also fell into a 2-1 hole. The Italians found themselves facing the same deficit as Spain but did so in much different fashion, losing Saturday’s doubles match in a mere one hour and 54 minutes. France’s Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert made quick 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 work of Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli.

“When you play at 1-1 in Davis Cup, the doubles point is crucial,” Mahut assured. “Fognini played unbelievable yesterday and I think at 2-2 (if Fabio Fognini beats Lucas Pouille) they still can have Andreas (Seppi) and Paolo (Lorenzi)–great, great competitors. It was crucial to win today, but there’s still a long way to go.

“We know each other so well,” Mahut said of his partnership with Herbert. “We’re playing (together) for so many years now. When it’s really difficult, I know he has my back and he knows I have his back. We were here today for the team; it’s 2-1 and we’re so proud of it.”

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