Doha [Qatar], November 5: Hosts Qatar concluded their FIP World Cup Group campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Germany in their third tie at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on Wednesday.
Despite a spirited performance from Asian Games gold medallists Rashed Nawaf and Mashari Nawaf, who secured Qatar's only victory of the tie, the hosts were unable to overcome the German side, suffering their third consecutive defeat in the tournament.
Germany made a strong start in the Group C clash as A. Reca and M. Wunner defeated Qatar's Rayyan Aljufairi and Essa Alharrasi 6-1, 6-1 in the opening match. However, Qatar fought back in the second match through the Nawaf brothers, who produced an impressive comeback victory against J. Lindmeyer and B. Fitzon.
The Qatari pair lost the opening set 2-6 but responded strongly to take the second set 6-3 before holding their nerve in the decider to clinch a 6-4 victory after a closely contested battle lasting one hour and 41 minutes.
Their victory levelled the tie at 1-1 and kept Qatar's hopes of securing their first win in the competition alive.
However, Germany proved too strong in the decider, with C. Boehnke and N. Merten defeating Hassan Adel Waly and Mohammed Saadon Al-Kuwari 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and six minutes to seal the overall victory.
Portugal topped Group C with a 2-1 victory over Chile to advance. M. Deus and N. Deus gave Portugal the lead with a 6-2, 6-2 win over P. Vacarezza Kuhlmann and A. Torres in the opening match. Chile fought back to level the tie as J. Valdes and C. Molina defeated S. Ferreira Nunes Foios Simoes and P. Perry 6-4, 6-2. However, D. Jesus and A. Luque secured the overall victory for Portugal, beating C. Martinez and S. Munoz Campos 6-3, 6-2 in the deciding match.
Meanwhile, last tournament's runners-up Spain continued their winning run in Group B with a dominant 3-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates.
On the women's side, defending champions Spain and Argentina completed unbeaten group-stage campaigns to lead the quarter-finals line-up.
Spain finished on top of Group A with a perfect record after sweeping Brazil 3-0, dropping just four games across the three matches. Brazil also qualified despite losing, finishing second ahead of Great Britain, who beat Germany 3-0.
Argentina claimed top spot in Group B after defeating France 3-0, with Delfi Brea and Claudia Jensen, Aranzazu Osoro and Martina Fassio, and Virginia Riera and Julieta Bidahorria all winning their matches.
Source: Qatar Tribune
