Injury sours Germany's victory

Frankfurt - Germany were forced to forfeit a Davis Cup singles rubber through injury on Sunday having already won their World Group match against Spain.

Triple injuries meant only Daniel Brands was fit to face Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in the fifth and final rubber on Sunday with Germany holding a 3-1 lead.

Germany took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the World Group clash in Frankfurt on Saturday which put them into the quarter-finals away to France, who beat Australia, in April.

In Saturday's doubles rubber Germany's Tommy Haas and Philipp Kohlschreiber enjoyed a four-sets win over Spain's Fernando Verdasco and David Marrero.

But the victory came at a cost with Kohlschreiber picking up a thigh problem and Haas aggravating a shoulder injury.

With Friday's singles winner Florian Mayer also labouring with a shoulder injury, Germany captain Carsten Arriens was forced to forfeit Sunday's opening singles rubber.

"The three players are not in a position to play, the fact we must forfeit a game is not optimal," Arriens told the 5000 spectators to jeers in the Frankfurt arena.

Ex-Germany professional Nicolas Kiefer criticised the Germans' decision to forfeit.

"It is a pity and sad, it has tarnished everything which has been built up in the last two days.

"Outwardly, this is not a good representation."