After Rublev's speedy victory over Dominik Koepfer (54th) 6-4, 6-0 in 50 minutes, Medvedev took the point of the qualification by beating Jan-Lennard Struff (51st) 6-4, 6-4.
The double between the Russian duo Aslan Karatsev / Karen Khachanov (preferred at the last moment to Andrey Rublev) and the German pair Kevin Krawietz / Tim Pütz, although without a stake, was played.
And despite very strong resistance from the Russians, the Germans saved the honor 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Germany, deprived of its N.1 Alexander Zverev, came out first in its group, having notably beaten Djokovic's Serbia, and had reached the last four thanks to the invincibility of its doubles team.
But the Russians managed to avoid coming to this decisive third game on Saturday.
Russia will play their sixth Davis Cup final in hopes of a third coronation after 2002 and 2006.
In 2019, during the last edition (that of 2020 was canceled due to Covid-19), Russia, without Medvedev, reached the semi-finals where it was beaten by Canada.
© 2021 AFP