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Saturday, February 10
Romania win doubles to lead Germany 2-1



BRAUNSCHWEIG, Germany -- Andrei Pavel and Gabriel Trifu beat Marc Goellner and David Prinosil 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday to give outsiders Romania a 2-1 lead over Germany in their Davis Cup world group tie.

Germany, which won the competition in 1988, 1989 and 1993, must now win both of Sunday's reverse singles to survive the first round.

One break in each set was all it took for the Romanian pair to record a relative straightforward victory.

"It was simply not our day," said Germany captain Carl-Uwe Steeb. "Marc and David never could find a way into the match."

The first set was tight with few opportunities to break until Goellner, who looked nervous throughout the match, dropped his serve in the 10th game.

Romania stayed on top, managing breaks in the third game of the second set and the seventh game of the third before wrapping it up with Goellner hitting a forehand long on match point.

"I am a bit surprised that it was so easy because Prinosil has played brilliantly this year and the Germans have a very strong pair," said Pavel, who has lived in Germany for 10 years.

"Being the favorites and the home side, they felt much more pressure than we did. We were more relaxed."

While Goellner and Prinosil were far from their best, both the Romanians impressed. Pavel is known to be a solid doubles player, but Trifu also played a significant role, firing in powerful serves and hitting some remarkable winners.

"We certainly didn't underestimate them," said Prinosil. "They both played really well."

Tommy Haas had given the home side a 1-0 lead by crushing Ion Moldovan in straight sets in Friday's opening singles, but Pavel then beat Nicolas Kiefer in four sets to level the tie.

Romania's chances had been undermined on Tuesday when their No. 2 player, Adrian Voinea, sustained a groin injury and had to be replaced by Moldovan, who is outside the top 300 in the ATP computer rankings.

Now Pavel could seal victory if he beats Haas in the first of Sunday's reverse singles.

"I'm feeling good because the doubles didn't last too long," said Pavel. "Being able to face Haas with us in the lead is certainly good for my confidence."

Kiefer is then expected to face Moldovan.

 




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