The German Davis Cup team surprisingly missed the group stage. Alexander Zverev and Co. lost 2:3 in the Swiss qualifiers and are now fighting to stay in the tennis world group for the fall.

Debuting Daniel Altmaier had to concede a decisive 2:3 in a close duel with Switzerland with 3:6, 7:5, 4:6 against three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka.

Olympic champion Alexander Zverev surprisingly lost 2:6, 6:7 (4:7) to Marc-Andrea Hüsler and missed his chance to advance early. Andreas Mies and Tim Pütz had previously given the German Tennis Federation (DTB) a 2-1 lead in doubles.

Zverev had played a weaker game against Hüsler after a convincing two-set win over 37-year-old Wawrinka the previous day. The first set went to Switzerland, which consistently punished the numerous mistakes Hamburger made. Zverev, who also looked nervous in the second round, lacked concentration and good body language for a long time in front of 4,000 spectators. Despite an early hiatus, the 25-year-old was never able to fully enter the game and was eventually forced to admit defeat at the draw break.

Zverev suffered a leg injury last year and was unable to play for nearly seven months and is currently struggling to regain his best form.

Double experts Mies/Pütz secured a good starting position for Zverev on Saturday afternoon. In an emotional and close match, they beat Wawrinka and Dominic Stricker 6:7 (3:7), 6:3, 6:4 in the early afternoon. After losing a set in the first round, Mies/Pütz visibly leveled up and rightfully turned the game upside down.