PARIS: Germany shrugged off the absence of world No. 2 Alexander Zverev to sweep past Slovakia in their Davis Cup Group stage finals opener on Tuesday as Canada beat Argentina.
Despite the absence of their top four players, including Zverev, the Germans dominated their Group C tie 3-0 in Zhuhai, China. The group also includes the United State and Chile.
Canada, the 2022 champions, eased past Argentina 2-1 in Group D action in Manchester, England.
Germany's Maximilian Marterer won the first point 6-4, 7-5 against Lukas Klein, with Yannick Hanfmann beating Josef Kovalik 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
Argentina hit back with Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puelz teaming up in the doubles to see off Klein and Igor Zelenay 7-5, 6-3.
The United States, 32-time champions, open their campaign against Chile today, followed by Slovakia on Friday and Germany on Saturday.
"We have a few days off so we can recover and do our best to win the next matches and still have a chance to go to the final," said Kovalik.
In Manchester, Canada's Denis Shapovalov battled past Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-3 in Group D before Felix Auger-Aliassime eased past Sebastian Baez 6-3, 6-3.
Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni teamed up in the doubles to beat Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Canada next play Finland on Thursday before taking on hosts Britain on Sunday.
"I feel great," said Shapovalov.
"The last time I played in the Davis Cup we won the competition, so it was nice to be back and playing at such a high level. I want to build on this now."
Champions Italy open their title defence today in Bologna against Brazil but without world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, winner of the US Open at the weekend.
Italy are in the same Group A as Belgium and the Netherlands.
In Group B, France play Australia, losing finalists in 2022 and 2023, who have not lifted the trophy in 21 years.
Carlos Alcaraz's Spain are also in Group B.
The two nations finishing top of each of the four groups in the round robin competition will qualify for the eight-team final in Malaga, Spain from November 19-24. - AFP