Both Spain and Germany’s doubles pairings had already experienced high-stakes matches this week, although it was Krawietz and Puetz who prevailed in more dramatic circumstances as they saved three match points to complete Germany’s comeback against Argentina shortly after 1am local time.
Granollers and Martinez were dominant in the opening set, quickly taking a 4-0 lead – but a single break of serve for Krawietz and Puetz in the second was enough to force a decider.
It was the Spanish duo who ultimately finished the stronger, however, breaking to love in the fourth game of the decider and holding their nerve to see out victory at the first opportunity.
Carreno Busta had given Spain the perfect start on Saturday afternoon with a 6-4 7-6 (8-6) win over Struff.
After failing to take his first three match points on Struff’s serve at 5-4 in the second set 5-4, the 89th-ranked Carreno Busta then had to rally from 6-1 down in the tie-break.
Zverev, the only top-10 singles player competing at this year’s Finals, said after his 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-5) victory he had not been feeling well in the lead-up to the tie.
The out-of-sorts German made 28 unforced errors but found consistency when it mattered to win both tie-breaks against world number 36 Munar.
However, the doubles loss means Germany’s wait for a first final appearance since 1993 goes on.
