Kohlschreiber/Petzschner defeat Chela/Gonzalez at Power Horse World Team Cup
Germany captured its fifth Power Horse World Team Cup title as German Philipp Kohlschreiber and Philipp Petzschner downed Argentinean Juan Ignacio Chela and Maximo Gonzalez in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(5) in the deciding doubles rubber
at the Dusseldorf Rochusclub on Saturday.
Germany won the tie 2-1 after first two singles matches were shared by both teams earlier in the day. In the first singles, German Florian Mayer defeated Juan Monaco of Argentina in straight sets 7-6(4), 6-0 to give the hosts a
1-0 lead. However, Argentineans fought back as Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina prevailed over German Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets 6-4, 7-6(4) in the second singles, levelling the tie score at 1-1.
In the deciding doubles match, Kohlschreiber and Petzschner took an early lead as they broke Chela and Gonzalez in the second game to take a 2-0 lead. However, the Argentineans responded quickly as they broke back in the very next
game and held their serve in the fourth game, levelling the score at 2-2. The Germans broke again in the sixth game and this time they did not allow their opponents to break back, grabbing the set 6-3.
Kohlschreiber and Petzschner fired three aces and 67 percent of the first deliveries, clinching 72 percent of the points on them in the first set. On the other hand, Chela and Gonzalez were too erratic with their second serves,
committing four double faults. The Argentineans converted one of the three break points and failed in saving two of the three break points on their own serve in the first set.
In the second set, both teams broke each other once in the first twelve games and levelled the score at 6-6, taking the set to a tie-break. Kohlschreiber and Petzschner grabbed a late mini-break in the tie-break, clinching it 7-5.
The Germans had a satisfactory first serve percentage as they delivered 66 percent of the first serves, bagging 68 percent of the points on them in the second set. Kohlschreiber and Petzschner capitalized on the only break point
opportunity they created but could not save the one break point they faced in the second set.
Talking to the reporters after the match, Kohlschreiber said, “I lost my singles match, but I came out strongly for the doubles and it’s great to have a happy ending. We’ve been looking forward to this event because we knew we
had a great team spirit and this success is a really great honour for everybody."
A jubilant Petzschner said, "The world team title is a great success for all of us. We wanted to present ourselves well and did it. It’s been a great experience throughout the whole week. It was a great team effort making it to
the final and then succeeding today; it’s just a great feeling.”
Germany grabbed the Power Horse World Team Cup for a record fifth time. The host nation won its four previous titles back in 1989, 1994, 1998 and 2005.
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