Germany overcome Spain 4-1 in Davis Cup tie

Berlin, Feb 3 (IANS) Germany have secured a 4-1 win to knock Spain out of the Davis Cup.

Spain exited early for a second straight year as three-time winners Germany wrapped up the victory on home soil in Frankfurt Sunday, reports Xinhua.

Philipp Kohlschreiber’s triumph over Spain’s debutant Roberto Bautista Agut in three sets 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 and Florian Mayer’s five-set marathon against veteran Feliciano Lopez gave the hosts a 2-0 lead Friday.

Philipp Kohlschreiber and Tommy Haas extended the lead to 3-0 with a surprising win in four sets over Fernando Verdasco and David Marrero in Saturday’s doubles to clinch the quarterfinal spot ahead of schedule.

Kohlschreiber was unable to play the fourth match against Lopez owing to an injury therefore Spain reduced the arrears to 3-1 Sunday. However, Daniel Brands played the last match against Bautista Agut to seal the deal in two straight sets.

It is the first time since 2011 that the German team have managed to progress to the quarterfinals. Germany will face France in the quarters in April.