Despite not having Alexander Zverev in the fold, the visiting Germans still swept host Japan for a spot in Bologna.

A disputed line call in the second set nearly threw the Frenchman off the rails in his eventual 7-5, 6-4 win.

The world No. 5 took the South Florida rematch Friday to bring the U.S. even with Czechia in their second-round qualifier.

The 23-year-old notched his first win in three meetings with the American.

“I have the hairs on the chest needed to play against Spain,” said the former No. 4.

Looking ahead to this weekend’s seven home-and-away ties, with the winners set to join defending champions Italy in the Finals.

The incident occurred last November after the Australian Davis Cup captain pushed a 60-year-old volunteer anti-doping chaperone, after his team's semifinal loss to Italy.

The world No. 1 now eyes a return in San Francisco next week for his second Laver Cup appearance.

Reilly Opelka, Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek were added for the Sept. 12-13 tie against the Czech Republic that will be played in Delray Beach, Florida.

A Davis Cup Final 8 spot against Czechia will be up for grabs, as the U.S. aims to lift its first trophy since 2007.

Lopez, a four-time Davis Cup champion for Spain as a player, oversaw the event in 2023 and 2024 in Malaga, Spain.