Dusseldorf, Germany - On-form Germany swept to 3-0 success over France Wednesday to set up a clash for Red group finalist honours against holder Sweden as the ARAG World Team Championship headed towards the weekend final. With two more days of group competition remaining, the host nation and their fellow four-time winners have it all to play for as they meet starting Thursday on the clay of the Rochusclub.
After taking a 1-0 lead overnight against France - now 0-2 in the eight-nation competition - Philip Kohlschreiber stunned Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-3.
"It's very difficult here," said 2008 Melbourne finalist Tsonga. "Even before the match the crowd is behind your opponent. But I did my best and enjoyed the match - Igave everything."
The doubles pair of Nicolas Kiefer and Mischa Zvereva drove home the German victory 6-0, 6-4 over Gilles Simon and Jeremy Chardy.
Sweden had secured a win Tuesday over the US to earn a 2-0 record for the week,but Mardy Fish and Sam Querrey salvaged pride in doubles, a 2-6, 6-2, 10-3 (match tiebreak) win against Robert Lindstedt and Robin Soderling.
Germany last lifted the trophy in 2005 while Sweden beat Russia 2-1 last May in the traditional French Open tuneup.
"We are on a good path, we all want to make the finals here," said the 31st-ranked Kohlschreiber, second in the national rankings behind veteran Schuettler. "Tomorrow we play Sweden and Rainer will start.
"I have not thought at all about the French Open. I was just happy to be able to turn both of my matches around. That makes me strong and gives me confidence.
"That's the most important thing for a player."
In the Blue group, new tennis power nation Serbia hold command with a 2-0 mark after hammering Russia 3-0.
Nenad Zimonjic, winner for four clay doubles titles on the ATP with Canadian Daniel Nestor over the past month, combined with compatriot Viktor Troicki to complete the two-day tie with a defeat of Evgeny Korolev and Stanislav Vovk 6-1, 6-1.
Argentine defeated Italy 3-0 on the back of concluding singles and doubles wins.
Maximo Gonzalez, substituting for Juan Monace (wrist injury) defeated Simone Bolelli 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 while Gonzalez and Juan Del Potro won the doubles against Francesco Piccani and Andreas Seppi 6-2, 6-3.
