Germany lead Brazil 2-0 in Davis Cup playoff

Ulm, Germany: Philipp Kohlschreiber and Florian Mayer gave Germany a 2-0 lead over Brazil in their Davis Cup World Group playoff on Friday with victories over Rogerio Dutra Silva and Thomaz Bellucci.

Kohlschreiber defeated Dutra Silva 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in the first match, although the 25th-ranked German was pushed hard by the 134th-ranked Brazilian.

Mayer had a more comfortable 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Bellucci, who faded after the first set. The Brazilian No. 1 was sidelined for most of the summer with an abdominal injury.

Brazil will need to win the three remaining matches to stay in the World Group for another year.

The doubles match is on Saturday with reverse singles on Sunday.