Davis Cup: U.S. locks down top spot in Group C

The United States edged Germany 2-1 in Zhuhai, China, on Saturday to secure first place in Group C of the Davis Cup Finals group stage.

Despite the loss, the Germans will still join the Americans in the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga, Spain, which is scheduled for Nov. 19-24. The top two countries in each group advance to that knockout stage, and Germany came away with second place in Group C.

Group C play will conclude on Sunday, when Slovakia and Chile collide.

Reilly Opelka got the U.S. off to a strong start on Saturday by rallying for a 6-7 (4), 7-6 (9), 6-3 win over Henri Squire. Opelka fired 33 aces to Squire's 18.

Brandon Nakashima then beat Maximilian Marterer 6-4, 6-2 to clinch the win for the Americans. Germany's Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz toppled Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the United States 6-1, 7-6 (4) in a doubles match.

In other action Saturday, Argentina put together a 3-0 sweep of Finland in Manchester, England, and is currently the runner-up in Group D.

After Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Francisco Cerundolo got the best of Eero Vasa and Otto Virtanen, respectively, in singles matches, Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni rallied to prevail 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-3 against Harri Heliovaara and Patrick Kaukovalta in doubles play.

France had to come from behind in Valencia, Spain, to knock off the Czech Republic 2-1 in Group B.

After Czech Jakub Mensik captured a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, France's Arthur Fils leveled the playing field with a 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka. In the decisive doubles match, Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Rinderknech prevailed 7-6 (4), 7-5 over Adam Pavlasek and Mensik.

Joao Fonseca and Thiago Monteiro came out on top in Group A singles matches in Bologna, Italy, to carry Brazil past Belgium, 2-1.

--Field Level Media