Even without Alexander Zverev, the German Davis Cup team confidently secured its ticket to the final round in Japan.

After completing their mandatory task, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz clenched their fists and diligently signed autographs with smiles. Thanks in part to the world-class doubles team and without world number three Alexander Zverev, the German tennis team advanced to the final round in Tokyo against host Japan – and can dream of their first Davis Cup triumph since 1993.

In Bologna, Italy, Krawietz, Pütz, and co., along with seven other teams, will compete for the title from November 18 to 23—possibly with Zverev again, who withdrew from the match against Japan due to strain. Daniel Altmaier also had to withdraw due to a muscle injury.

But even without their two top players, the German team achieved a commanding victory overall. Krawietz and Pütz lived up to their role as favorites with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) victory against the Japanese duo of Yosuke Watanuki and Takeru Yuzuki, scoring the decisive point for the German team in the second qualifying round, making it 3-0.

Jan-Lennard Struff and Yannick Hanfmann had already won their singles matches on Friday. Struff defeated Yoshihito Nishioka 6:4, 6:7 (4:7), 6:4 in a close opening match. "There were many very, very close situations that could have gone the other way. So I don't think we could have complained if it was 1:1 after the first day," said German Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann.

Hanfmann defeated Shintaro Mochizuki 6:3, 6:3, easily securing the second point. "I thought Yannick played very, very well from the first to the last ball," praised Kohlmann.

The 51-year-old subsequently spoke of a "superb starting position," which Krawietz and Pütz also took advantage of. The world-class doubles team was initially the superior duo in their match against Watanuki and Yuzuki.

They quickly broke to 3-1. Although the Japanese came close again at times, last year's ATP Finals champions secured the first set on the third set point.

The second set developed into a close match. Both pairs managed a break before Krawietz/Pütz fended off three set points at 5-6 and advanced to a tiebreak. There, they gave the Japanese no chance.

Krawietz and Pütz are likely to be seeded as doubles players in the final round. Kohlmann's other nominees will also depend on whether Zverev confirms his participation. The 2021 Tokyo Olympic champion was also absent from the first qualifying round earlier this year when Germany beat Israel 3-1.