ZHUHAI, China — The United States topped its group and ensured it will be seeded in the last eight of the Davis Cup Finals by beating Germany 2-1 on Saturday.
Both teams were unbeaten and already into the Finals but knew that victory would secure a seeding in Malaga and a quarterfinal against one of the runners-up from the three other groups taking place in Manchester, Bologna and Valencia this week.
The U.S. swiftly ensured it would be them, winning both singles matches in Zhuhai, China. Reilly Opelka rallied to beat Henri Squire 6-7 (4), 7-6 (9), 6-3 and Brandon Nakashima eased past Maximilian Marterer 6-4, 6-2.
However, the U.S. suffered its first defeat when Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram lost 6-1, 7-6 (4) to Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz.
Later Saturday, Finland will hope to keep its slim hopes of progressing alive when it plays Argentina in Manchester in Group D. Group A is also delicately poised and Belgium plays Brazil in Bologna.
France plays the Czech Republic in Valencia, with both teams already eliminated.
Four groups are playing in four cities this week to qualify for the eight-team Finals in Malaga, Spain, in November. The top two in each four-team group advance.