Injury sours Germany`s victory over Spain

Frankfurt: Germany were forced to forfeit a Davis Cup singles rubber through injury on Sunday having already won their World Group match against Spain.

Triple injuries meant only Daniel Brands was fit to face Spain`s Roberto Bautista Agut in the fifth and final rubber on Sunday with Germany holding a 3-1 lead. Germany took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the World Group clash in Frankfurt on Saturday which put them into the quarter-finals away to France, who beat Australia, in April. In Saturday`s doubles rubber Germany`s Tommy Haas and Philipp Kohlschreiber enjoyed a four-sets win over Spain`s Fernando Verdasco and David Marrero. But the victory came at a cost with Kohlschreiber picking up a thigh problem and Haas aggravating a shoulder injury. With Friday`s singles winner Florian Mayer also labouring with a shoulder injury, Germany captain Carsten Arriens was forced to forfeit Sunday`s opening singles rubber. "The three players are not in a position to play, the fact we must forfeit a game is not optimal," Arriens told the 5000 spectators to jeers in the Frankfurt arena. Ex-Germany professional Nicolas Kiefer criticised the Germans` decision to forfeit. "It is a pity and sad, it has tarnished everything which has been built up in the last two days. "Outwardly, this is not a good representation."