Davis Cup: Rookie Daniel Brands keeps Germany in World Group
After Kohlschreiber and Florian Mayer picked up wins for Germany in Friday's singles rubbers, Brazil pulled the score back to 2-1 in Saturday's doubles, before Brands's decisive win.
Rookie Daniel Brands maintained Germany's Davis Cup World Group status by sealing Sunday's 3-1 victory over Brazil after stepping in as a late replacement after illness to Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Brands, 26, who made his Davis Cup debut in Saturday's doubles, enjoyed a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 win over Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci having stepped in after Kohlschreiber suffered stomach problems.
Despite the late call-up, Brands was always in control against Bellucci, who reached the Australian Open quarter-finals at the start of the year, much to Kohschreiber's relief.
"I feel a bit under the weather. I have been to the toilet 12 times, that had cost me a fair bit of energy," admitted Kohlschreiber, ranked 25th in the world, compared to Brands' 60th.
After Kohlschreiber and Florian Mayer picked up wins for Germany in Friday's singles rubbers, Brazil pulled the score back to 2-1 in Saturday's doubles, before Brands' decisive win.
It means Germany, who were thrashed 5-0 by Argentina in Buenos Airies in February, remain in the World Group while Brazil drop to the second tier.