Aussie hopes rest on Hewitt
Teenager Bernard Tomic lost in straight sets to Florian Mayer on Sunday as Germany levelled at 2-2 with Australia in the Davis Cup World Group playoff.
The tie will now be decided by the fifth and final rubber between ex-world No 1 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and Germany's 21-year-old Cedrik-Marcel Stebe.
Mayer had few problems claiming a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 over Tomic.
"Of course, I was feeling under pressure, but a three sets win, what can I say?," beamed Mayer.
"The spectators here gave me some brilliant support, this is a great feeling."
Germany's Philipp Petzschner, ranked 101st in the world, had been tipped to step in to play the final rubber, but a left knee injury forced him out, leaving Stebe, ranked 127th to face Hewitt, now 100th in the world.
Having beaten Hewitt in straight sets in Friday's singles match, Mayer, ranked 25th in the world, handed out the same treatment to Tomic taking the first two sets with ease.
The third set was more tightly fought initially as both players exchanged breaks before Mayer got the upper hand to take a 5-3 lead with Tomic to serve.
The German raced into a 40-15 lead, then converted his first match point to wrap up victory in just one hour, 31 minutes.
"I think I played OK in the first few games, but he showed when he gets a head start he is like one of the best players in the top 30," said 19-year-old Tomic.
"I tried to dig in at the end of the first set, but as the match went on he played better and better.
"It's hard to go from hardcourt to clay, but I have taken a lot from this week. I just hope Lleyton can get over the line, we haven't lost for a year and this is our big chance."
Australia are bidding to return to the World Group for the first time since 2007 while Germany must win to stay in the top tier after their opening round home defeat to Argentina in February.
After Tomic and Mayer both won Friday's singles matches, Hewitt and Chris Guccione enjoyed a 6-3, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7/4) doubles victory over Benjamin Becker and Petzschner on Saturday to make it 2-1 to Australia overnight.
