Germany reach Davis Cup Finals with 4-0 win over Japan

Germany reached the Davis Cup Finals by completing a comprehensive 4-0 victory over hosts Japan on Saturday.

Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz saved three set points in the second set as they defeated Yosuke Watanuki and Takeru Yuzuki 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) in the doubles rubber to give the visitors an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Justin Engel then became the second youngest German player in the team event when the 17-year-old made his debut with a 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 10-7 victory over Rei Sakamoto in what was a dead fourth rubber, with the final runner scrapped.

Engel turns 18 on October 1. Only former great Boris Becker was some eight months younger when he debuted in the event in 1985. Becker helped Germanys win the first two of their three titles, in 1988 and 1989.

"It was a great team performance. I am very proud of the entire team and that we qualified for the finals again after 2024," team captain Michael Kohlmann said.

Looking at Engel, Kohlmann said that "Justin has achieved something special" as he spoke of "a remarkable performance to deliver at such a high level."

Germany prevailed in the absence of top star Aleander Zverev, who needed a break after the North American hard court season which culminated in the US Open.

Germany won with opening singles rubbers on Friday when Jan-Lennard Struff edged Yoshito Nishioka 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4 and Yannick Hanfmann beat Shintaro Mochizuki 6-3, 6-3.

The finals take place November 18-23 finals in Bologna. It remains to be seen if world number three Zverev will be available again then and help Germany win the team event for the first time since 1993.