Germany, France and Argentina qualify for Davis Cup Final 8

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Germany reached the Davis Cup Final 8 with a 4-0 rout of Japan, France secured a convincing win over Croatia and Argentina qualified after knocking out last years finalists Netherlands in their second-round qualifying tie on Saturday.

Austria also qualified with a dramatic 3-2 win over Hungary, while Belgium and Denmark took commanding 2-0 leads over Australia and Spain.

After Germany took a 2-0 lead on Friday in Tokyo, their victory was completed when Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz saved three set points in the second set to beat Japans Yosuke Watanuki and Takeru Yuzuki 6-3 7-6(4) in the doubles. Justin Engel then beat Rei Sakamoto 6-3 6-7(2) 10-7.

Last years semi-finalists Germany are the first team to enter the Final 8 through the qualifiers, joining hosts Italy in the culminating round set for November in Bologna.

Right now, the locker room is dancing and singing. Were looking forward to Bologna and hopefully were getting one step further, Germany captain Michael Kohlmann said.

Argentina also qualified when Andres Molteni and Horacio Zeballos beat the Dutch duo of Sander Arends and Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3 7-5 to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in Groningen.

Hungary, who had lost both their matches to Austria on Friday, fought back with back-to-back wins in Debrecen.

Fabian Marozsan and Zsombor Piros edged the Austrian pair of Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler 7-6(4) 7-6(2) before Piros beat Lukas Neumayer in a singles match to bring Hungary level at 2-2.

But Austria won the tie in the fifth match, with Jurij Rodionov earning a dominant 6-2 6-1 victory over Marton Fucsovics.

France also secured their place in the Final 8 as Corentin Moutet beat Marin