FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - Tommy Haas and Philipp Kohlschreiber secured Germany’s place in the Davis Cup quarterfinals by winning their doubles for an unassailable 3-0 lead over Spain on Saturday.
The Germans held their nerve to beat Fernando Verdasco and David Marrero 7-6 (5), 6-7 (9), 7-6 (7), 6-3 in 3 hours, 25 minutes, giving Spain its second straight first-round exit. Spain lost to Canada last year.
The 35-year-old Haas served out the match to give Germany its first victory over Spain since 1994, and then led the celebrations in front of the enthusiastic home crowd.
“It couldn’t have gone any better. I’m very happy I was able to be here,” Haas said. “We’re all happy and already a little bit drunk.”
Kohlschreiber and Florian Mayer won their singles against Roberto Bautista Agut and Feliciano Lopez on Friday.
“It was a great team effort,” Germany captain Carsten Arriens said.
Spain captain Carlos Moya rued his team’s luck.
“I won’t chide the result or want to change which players I selected. Feliciano’s match on Friday and today’s doubles were decided by the details, by a single break,” Moya said. “There are still some years left to win the Davis Cup with this generation of players, although they are getting older.”
Germany, which last won the trophy in 1993, will next play France in the quarterfinals in April, while five-time champion Spain faces a World Group playoff in September.
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