ZHUHAI, China -- Maximilian Marterer and Yannick Hanfmann eased to straight-sets singles victories Thursday for a winning 2-0 lead over Chile to all but ensure Germany advances to the Davis Cup Finals in November.
In a Group C match on indoor hard courts in Zhuhai, China, Marterer beat Tomas Barrios Vera 6-1, 6-3 before Hanfmann defeated Alejandro Tabilo 7-5, 6-4 ahead of a later scheduled doubles match.
Four groups of teams are playing in four cities this week to qualify for the Final 8 knockout stage to be held in Malaga, Spain, in November. The top two countries in each four-team group will advance.
Germany, playing without No. 2-ranked Alexander Zverev, beat Slovakia 3-0 on Tuesday in its opening match. Chile lost its first match Wednesday to the United States.
Later Thursday in Europe, the Netherlands and Brazil will each be vying for their first wins in Group A when they play in Bologna, Italy. Last year's runner-up Australia will try to go 2-0 when it takes on the Czech Republic in Valencia, Spain, and 2022 champions Canada will try to do the same when it plays Finland in Group D in Manchester, England.
The United States, Spain, defending champions Italy and Britain won their opening group matches Wednesday.
