BRISBANE, Australia — Tim Puetz and late call-up Jan-Lennard Struff gave Germany a 2-1 lead over Australia in their first-round Davis Cup World Group match, beating Matt Ebden and John Peers 6-4, 6-7 (1), 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-4 in doubles on Saturday. On Friday, Alexander Zverev gave Germany a 1-0 lead with a 7-5, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) win over Alex de Minaur before Nick Kyrgios levelled for Australia with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Struff. The reverse singles are scheduled for Sunday, with Kyrgios playing Zverev and di Minaur scheduled to take on Struff, although late changes could be made. The loser will contest September’s World Cup playoffs. Australia, looking to end a 15-year Davis Cup title drought, has reached the World Group semifinals twice in the past three years.

Source: National Post February 03, 2018 06:56 UTC