They start on Tuesday Davis Cup-Finals, Germany must beat Canada in Thursday’s quarter-finals. A difficult task – despite a trump card.
From November 22nd to 27th the Davis Cup Finals 2022 in Málaga, Spain. Germany last won the traditional tennis competition in 1993. A renewed triumph would be tantamount to a sensation, especially since the DTBteam continue to have to do without his injured top player and Olympic champion Alexander Zverev, who is now also suffering from Corona.
Kohlmann relies on the winning team from Hamburg
Without Zverev, the German tennis men had made it to the final round in Hamburg in September prestigioussuccessful team competition. team boss Michael Kohlmann also relies on Jan-Lennard Struff (Warstein), Oscar Otte (Cologne), substitute Yannick Hanfmann (Karlsruhe) and the doubles for the knockout round, in which Germany starts in the quarterfinals against Canada on Thursday (November 24th, 2022). Kevin Krawietz (Coburg)/Tim Puetz (Frankfurt).
The German Davis Cup team boss Michael Kohlmann
Struff: “We are definitely the outsiders”
Struff, who was a decisive factor in reaching the quarter-finals, does not kid himself about the role of the German team: “We are definitely the underdogs in Malaga”, he said in an interview with the German Tennis Association (DTB). And he pushed aggressively: “But we really don’t have to hide and believe in our chance. Then we can do something against Canada.”
However, the Canadians are a heavy chunk and are going into a duel against Germany with Felix Auger-Aliassime, currently in good shape, in the world rankings and sixth in the world rankings, and Denis Shapovalov, who is eighteenth in the world. The opponent has one “incredibly good team. You just have to acknowledge that”said Struff.
Plus team spirit
However, the DTB selection can come up with a trump card: theirs team spirit. Kohlman said: “The team stands together, no matter what happens on the pitch. Playing with this feeling and not giving up makes us strong. We have a very special squad.”
“We did that last year with them finals in Innsbruck proved that this special energy that we have in team have, can unleash great powers”, also said Struff. At that time, the German team reached the semi-finals.
As an example for the team spirit the Warsteiner called a team trip to Austria: “We only had a limited number of rooms available, but we wanted as many of the supervisory staff as possible to come with us. All the players immediately said that they would go into the room together and take the sofa. That just shows the spirit in this team plugged.”
The earlier one sees it similarly Davis Cup-Captain Patrik Kuehnen: “The German team has an extremely strong cohesion. It has often been shown that players in a strong teamto be able to surpass oneself.” The 56-year-old also pointed out that Germany has an extremely strong doubles team: “Even if the Canadians are favourites, there are still chances for the Germans team definitely there.”
Tennis expert Patrik Kuehnen
Not a clear favourite
In addition to Germany and Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, Italy, Spain and the USA have qualified for the final round. Defending champion Russia is not there: The association was already dismissed in March because of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine Davis Cup excluded. There is no clear favorite this time.
One of the top favorites was Spain, which is now one of the world number ones due to injury Carlos Alcaráz and the 22 times Grand Slam– Winner Rafael Nadal has to do without. Italy has to do without Jannik Sinner. As the strongest, at least on paper teams apply to the USA and Canada with the top ten players TaylorFritz and Auger aliassime.
The game plan
Of the Davis Cup has been held since 2019 in a compressed and controversial mode with a group phase and the subsequent final tournament. In the previous year it was German team also failed in the semifinals without Zverev against Russia.
Quarterfinals
Tuesday November 22, 4 p.m.: Australia vs. Netherlands
Wednesday November 23, 4 p.m.: Croatia vs. Spain
Thursday, November 24, 10 a.m.: Italy vs. USA
Thursday, November 24, 4 p.m.: Germany vs. Canada
semifinals
Friday November 25, 4 p.m.: Australia or Netherlands against Croatia or Spain
Saturday, November 26, 1 p.m.: Italy or USA against Germany or Canada
final
Sunday, November 27, 1 p.m