ZHUHAI, China (AP) — Maximilian Marterer and Yannick Hanfmann easily won their singles match in three sets Thursday to take a 2-0 lead over Chile that puts Germany in the Davis Cup finals in November.
In a Group C match on indoor hard courts in Zhuhai, China, Marterer beat Tomas Barrios Vera 6-1, 6-3 before Hanfmann defeated Alejandro Tabilo 7-5. 6-4 before a doubles match scheduled for later.
This week, four groups of teams compete in four different cities to qualify for the Final 8 knockout stage in Malaga, Spain in November. The top two teams from each group of four will advance.
Germany, playing without world number two Alexander Zverev, beat Slovakia 3-0 in its first match on Tuesday. Chile lost its first match on Wednesday against the United States.
Later Thursday in Europe, the Netherlands and Brazil will each try to earn their first win in Group A when they play in Bologna, Italy. Last year’s runners-up Australia will try to win 2-0 when they face the Czech Republic in Valencia, Spain, and 2022 champions Canada will try to do the same when they face Finland in Group D in Manchester, England.
The United States, Spain, defending champions Italy and Great Britain won their first group matches on Wednesday.
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AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
