I'll add congratulations to the German team and condolences to the Spanish team.
Kohlschreiber looked healthy and ready and beat Bautista-Agut easily in 3 sets, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2, and he certainly made use of the backhand as I suggested earlier. Here was the hot shot of the day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIvhhg41A74
The 2nd match between Mayer and Lopez turned out to be a big battle as I thought it might.
Mayer led 2 sets to love, but Lopez fought back to tie it. Then in the final set, Mayer broke early and never relinquished it, winning, 7-6(6), 7-6(4), 1-6, 5-7, 6-3. Mayer was cramping, but fought through and pulled it out.
Here's the final game (starting at around 2:20) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VPcFslsxBo
Now Fernando Verdasco and David Marrero are scheduled in doubles to try and prevent victory for the Germans, represented in the doubles by Tommy Haas and Daniel Brands.
Tough ask for Spain without world #1 Nadal and #5 Ferrer, or numbers 16 and 17, Robredo and Almagro. Not sure why they are not playing.
Respectfully,
masterclass
Great recap.
Kohly's backhand is sweet. I've always liked him.
Shame for Spain. Sounds like a great match, but Feli always waits too late to fight. I can't see them getting past Haas and Brands. By the way, did you see where Haas just got a new coach in order to get himself in the Top 10. That would be awesome. I'm not familiar with Marrero, Fernando might not be enough to hold off the German onslaught.