Germany set to advance to Davis Cup finals with win over Chile

ZHUHAI, China -- Germany remained unbeaten in the Davis Cup group stage finals after sweeping aside Chile 3-0 on Thursday.

On an indoor hard court in Zhuhai, Maximilian Marterer beat Tomas Barrios Vera 6-1, 6-3, then Yannick Hanfmann defeated Alejandro Tabilo 7-5, 6-4 to clinch the tie. Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz , who have lost only one cup match, took apart Barrios Vera and Matias Soto 6-1, 6-3. In no match was Germany broken.

Germany, without No. 2-ranked Alexander Zverev , has never lost to Chile, which didn't use an ill Nicolas Jarry .

The Germans, after also beating Slovakia 3-0, lead Group C, followed by the United States, Slovakia and Chile. The next tie is U.S. vs. Slovakia on Friday.

Four groups of teams are playing in four cities this week to qualify for the eight-team finals in Malaga, Spain, in November. The top two countries in each four-team group advance.

Later Thursday in Europe, the Netherlands and Brazil will each be vying for their first wins in Group A when they play in Bologna, Italy. Last year's runner-up Australia will try to go 2-0 when it takes on the Czech Republic in Valencia, Spain, and 2022 champion Canada will try to do the same when it plays Finland in Group D in Manchester, England.