It was dark in Hamburg when the Center Court at Rothenbaum experienced a very special night session.

After seven hours of top-class tennis with sometimes crazy gameplay and an increasingly exuberant atmosphere in the stands, which were by no means sold out, the German Davis Cup team celebrated a historic success.

Thomas Klemm

sports editor.

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For the first time since 1938, after eight defeats in a row, a selection from the German Tennis Association (DTB) defeated feared opponents France.

The 2-1 win in the first group game put the team in a good position even without injured top performer Alexander Zverev, with another win from meetings with Belgium on Friday and Australia on Sunday in the Davis Cup finals at the end of November reachable in Malaga.

"The home advantage helps enormously"

The decision against the French, who were nominally better ranked, was made as late as possible: the Kevin Krawietz/Tim Pütz doubles team scored the decisive point – after winning a tie-break in the third set.

"The home advantage helps enormously," said Krawietz after the 6: 2, 3: 6 and 7: 6 (7: 1) against the French Nicolas Mahut / Artur Rinderknech.

In view of the Hamburg party atmosphere, Pütz allowed himself to be carried away to the assessment that "it was the best atmosphere in which I have ever played".

Jan-Lennard Struff presented in the opening singles and defeated Benjamin Bonzi 6: 4, 2: 6 and 7: 5 after defending against two match balls.

After Oscar Otte, who had to replace Alexander Zverev as a top German on his Davis Cup debut, lost 4: 6, 3: 6 to Adrian Mannarino, Krawietz/Pütz remained undefeated in their sixth Davis Cup match.

"Means the world to me"

From the German bench, Zverev watched as Struff, who stepped in as a single player, started strong in the first set and dropped a lot in the second round before he got the curve.

When the score was 4:5, the Warsteiner fended off two of the French's match balls with courageous net attacks, and a few minutes later he gained decisive advantages for himself.

Bonzi fended off Struff's first three match balls, and the German converted the fourth after 2:14 hours of play with an ace. "The fact that I put the team in the lead means the world to me," said the 32-year-old, whose strong serves before laid the foundation for success, especially in the first movement.

Unlike so often this season, in which Struff had to cope with an injury and many close defeats, especially on the second-class Challenger Tour, he did not let setbacks throw him off track at Rothenbaum.

Even when he was 1:3 behind in the third round and faced the Frenchman's two match points, he courageously sought his way to the net.

"It means a lot to me that the audience and the bank pushed me," said Struff.

Zverev reserved

Contrary to what was announced, the injured Zverev was not one of the big cheers.

The superstar found it difficult to hide his disappointment at not being on the pitch himself and was noticeably reluctant to express positive emotions.

Otte could not convert the template from colleague Struff, the lack of match practice was noticeable in many scenes.

The 52nd in the world rankings often made wrong decisions and was so upset that he angrily threw the towel onto the pitch and almost his racket too.

The man from Cologne had to take a break for two months after a meniscus operation, only came back to the US Open and lost right at the start.

His performance was more appealing in his second match after the return, but the debutant ultimately stood no chance against Mannarino's clever play.

"He didn't do anything wrong at all," said Otte, who admitted his first Davis Cup outing was "difficult" for him.

With his role as sporting leader after Zverev's failure, he tries to "take it easy": "But that's easier said than done." Colleagues Krawietz / Pütz ultimately saved Otte the first evening as leader.