Germany secured a 4-0 win over Peru while Croatia edged Denmark 3-1 in the Davis Cup first round, with Austria and Canada also claiming tight victories
GERMANY powered into the next Davis Cup qualifying round with a commanding 4-0 victory over Peru.
The win was sealed by the doubles pair of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz, who triumphed 6-0, 2-6, 6-4 over Ignacio Buse and Arklon Huertas del Pino.
Germany had built a 2-0 lead on the opening day through singles wins from Yannick Hanfmann and Jan-Lennard Struff, despite the absence of top player Alexander Zverev.
Eighteen-year-old Justin Engel then defeated Gonzalo Bueno 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), ret. in a dead rubber.
In Varazdin, Croatia secured a 3-1 win against Denmark to advance.
Dino Prizmic delivered the decisive victory with a 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/2) win over Elmer Moeller.
The Croatian doubles team of Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic had earlier set up the win, beating Johannes Ingildsen and Carl Emil Overbeck 6-2, 7-5.
Austria edged a tight 3-2 encounter with Japan in Tokyo.
Jurij Rodionov clinched the tie with a comeback 5-7, 6-1, 6-0 victory over Yoshihito Nishioka.
“It’s a team competition,” Rodionov said. “Everyone has to do their part and I’m happy I was able to get the two points for my team and decide the tie for Austria.”
The United States lead Hungary 2-0 ahead of Sunday’s final matches.
Tommy Paul and Ethan Quinn secured straight-sets and three-set wins respectively to put the Americans in control.
France and Slovakia are locked at 1-1, while Belgium lead Bulgaria 2-0.
Canada staged a comeback to beat Brazil 3-2 in Vancouver.
After losing the doubles, Gabriel Diallo and Liam Draxl won the final two singles matches to secure the victory for the hosts.
