Florian Mayer put Germany ahead by beating Juan Monaco 7-6 (4), 6-0, but Juan Ignacio Chela pulled Argentina level when he beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 7-6 (4).

Kohlschreiber then returned to partner Philipp Petzschner while Chela teamed with Maximo Gonzalez in the doubles, which Germany won 6-3, 7-6 (5).

In a tight opening set Monaco broke to lead 2-1, but Mayer immediately leveled, won the tiebreaker and then broke to lead 1-0 in the second set.

Monaco then received treatment to the index finger of his left hand, and when play resumed Mayer was able to stroll to an easy victory.

“I think the first set was really tough,” Mayer said.

“We had a good battle and only one or two close points decided the first set. I don't know, maybe he got injured a little bit in the second set and it was a lot easier.” Kohlschreiber always trailed against Chela, who broke to lead 2-1 after holding off two break points in the second game.

That was enough to determine the outcome of the first set, but despite dropping his serve to fall behind 3-2 in the second Kohlschreiber had opportunities to turn the match around.

The German broke to love as Chela served for the match at 5-4, but although Chela failed to convert a break point at 5-5 he claimed seven of the last eight points of the tiebreaker.

Argentina was playing in the final for the seventh time and also seeking to become the first team to claim five victories. All three of its defeats in the final have come against Germany.

Argentina was also bidding to become the third nation to successfully defend its title after the United States in 1984-85 and Chile in 2003-04.