Davis Cup: Draw: Zverev and Struff contest singles

The first-round match between Germany and Australia in the Davis Cup World Group on Friday will be opened by Alexander Zverev (ATP 5) and Alex de Minaur (ATP 139). Both will play the opening singles in the Pat Rafter- Arena of Brisbane at night on Friday (from 3.00 a. m. live on DAZN). Subsequently, Jan-Lennard Struff (ATP 58) will face the Australian top player Nick Kyrgios (ATP 14). That was the result of the draw on Thursday.

“We were expecting the Australians to be set up in this way, and we have prepared ourselves for this constellation in the last few days. Behind us lies an intensive and good preparation time in Australia. We are happy that it will finally start tomorrow and look forward to the weekend very positively”, says Captain Michael Kohlmann.

Alexander Zverev is also confident before his opening single against the 18-year-old debutant in the Australian team:”He is a very young player who delivered strong results in the Australian summer, in the Brisbane semi-finals and in the Sydney finals. It won’t be an easy task, but I’m in a good mood, ready and prepared.”

Jan-Lennard Struff, the German number two in the team, says before his match against Kyrgios:”It will of course be a difficult match against Nick, but I also started the season successfully, beat Tomas Berdych and played an intensive game against Roger Federer.”.

But with all due respect to Kyrgios, Struff still dares to surprise him:”I’m glad I’m able to deliver a strong match and hopefully defeat him,”he said,”The Davis Cup weeks are the best weeks of the year for me. It’s a lot of fun to play in a team.”

Captain Kohlmann nominated Peter Gojowczyk (ATP 60) and Tim Pu? tz (ATP double 144) for the doubles match on Saturday. They meet Matthew Ebden (ATP 74) and John Peers (ATP-Double 4) On Sunday, Zverev and Kyrgios will face each other in the top singles, after which Struff will meet de Minaur. However, the captains Kohlmann and Lleyton Hewitt have the possibility to change over until shortly before the start of the matches.

The Pat-Rafter-Arena is about entering the quarter-finals. In the past three years, Germany had always lost in the first round and in September, in the relegation, saved their place in the world group of the 16 best teams. The winner of Brisbane will meet from 6. till 8. April either in Spain or Great Britain. All five matches will be broadcast live on DAZN.