Extra free time for the top two
German tennis has entered the semi-finals of the Davis Cup
November 20, 2024, 4:49 pm
Daniel Altmaier leads the way, Jan-Lennard Struff follows suit – and the German tennis men are in the semi-finals of the Davis Cup thanks to victories in both groups. Doubles Kevin Krawietz/Tim Pütz, who are used to success, are getting a little break after winning the ATP Finals.
Jan-Lennard Struff beat his chest and left his cheering teammates to cheer him on. The Warsteiner led the furious German tennis team to the final of the Davis Cup in Malaga – raising the prospect of a surprise victory, the first at the event since 1993. “It was an amazing match, very close,” said a tired Struff: “I am happy that I got the points for my team . It’s a big step for us. Now we want to get to the finals.”
Even without top player Alexander Zverev, the selection of the national coach Michael Kohlmann beat the 2022 winner in Canada 2-0 after a great performance. In the semi-finals on Friday (5 pm/DAZN) the next opponent, the Netherlands, awaits at eye level. In 2021, Germany lost 2-1 to Russia in the best of four games.
Struff, the first German in the absence of Zverev, who was tired for a long time, explained everything clearly against Denis Shapovalov in a match without air and excitement until the end – he won 4:6, 7:5, 7:6 (7:5). Daniel Altmaier had already defeated Gabriel Diallo in the first singles with 7: 6 (7: 5), 6: 4. The two German champions Kevin Krawietz/Tim Pütz did not need to intervene.
Altmaier uses the first principle of the game immediately
Struff played the game evenly in the beginning against the strong and recent Shapovalov, 13 places behind the German, who is ranked 43rd in the world rankings. The 2021 Wimbledon semi-finalist took advantage of Struff’s weakness in the first set to make a break. However, because Struff achieved the same feat in the second round, he entered the finals.
It was an exciting match with a lot of speed and a lot of wins before Shapovalov broke his nerves at the wrong time. With two double faults, he gave his opponent a break and threw his banner down. Struff also struggled for a while, but cruised to victory and had 200 German fans standing cheering.
Altmaier had already started Germany’s Davis Cup career – with a similar opportunity against the Netherlands on Friday in mind. The Dutch surprisingly knocked Spain out of the tournament on Tuesday evening and ended Rafael Nadal’s extraordinary career on an emotional evening. And the 26-year-old Altmaier found a way to get into the game with a quick break.
Because Diallo fought so close, the Kempen player had to go the whole distance. He bravely grabbed the shot after 1:15 of the game. The second round was also uneventful – with a good finish for Altmaier, who converted his first point after 1:57 hours. “It was great, a dream come true. I’m very happy to be able to play here against Canada,” Altmaier said afterwards.