Germany will have the chance to defend their ARAG ATP World Team Championship title at the Rochusclub on Saturday, following a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in the final round-robin tie of the Red Group.

Nicolas Kiefer sent out German compatriots Michael Kohlmann and Alexander Waske for the doubles rubber with the instruction: "Do it as you did in the two previous matches, win!"

Kohlmann and Waske didn’t disappoint. For the third time this week, the pair won the decisive point for Germany.

While Tomas Berdych and Leos Friedl won seven straight points to take the second set tie-break 7-2, Kohlmann and Waske regained their composure for a 6-4, 6-7(2), 10-5 (Match TB) win in one hour and 38 minutes.

The four-time champions will face meet either Davis Cup winners Croatia or Chile, who meet one another Friday.

Earlier in the day Philipp Kohlschreiber, who has reached three quarterfinals at ATP-level in 2006 (Adelaide, Las Vegas, Munich), tasted victory for the first time at the Duesseldorf event.

Kohlschreiber out-fought Czech Robin Vik 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, to set up a tense second singles rubber between Kiefer and Tomas Berdych.

Berdych made it two career wins out of two against Kiefer, beating the German ranked No. 13 in the INDESIT ATP Rankings.

Without the services of Tommy Haas this week, due to a pollen allergy picked up at ATP Masters Series Hamburg, Kiefer shouldered the burden once again.

The Australian Open semifinalist was unable to follow up victories over Italy’s Filippo Volandri and Gaston Gaudio of Argentina, falling to Berdych 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3 in two hours and 28 minutes.