Australia Triumphs Over USA to Secure Davis Cup Semifinal Spot

Posted : 21 November 2024

Australia secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over the United States to advance to the Davis Cup semifinals, with the decisive point coming in the doubles match. After Taylor Fritz leveled the tie by defeating Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4 in the second singles rubber, the Australian pair of Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson delivered a commanding 6-4, 6-4 win against Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul. The victory came after an intense opener, where Thanasi Kokkinakis edged past Shelton in a marathon tie-break, winning 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (16/14).

Kokkinakis displayed remarkable resilience in the opening match, saving four match points and eventually clinching the tie-break when Shelton hit long. His win set the tone for a fiercely competitive quarterfinal. Reflecting on the match, Kokkinakis expressed his exhilaration, stating, "I don't know if I've been that pumped up in my life. I wanted that one bad, I wanted to help my team." The tie-break, which ranks as one of the longest in Davis Cup history, underscored the intensity of the clash between the two nations.

Taylor Fritz, coming off an impressive season that included a runner-up finish at the ATP Finals and a Grand Slam final at the US Open, proved too strong for De Minaur in the second rubber. Fritz secured an early break in the opening set and maintained control throughout the match, winning in just 71 minutes. His dominance ensured the United States stayed in contention, but their hopes were dashed in the doubles rubber. US captain Bryan's decision to field singles players Shelton and Paul over specialist doubles players ultimately backfired.

In the decisive doubles match, Australia capitalized on key moments, breaking Paul’s serve in the first set for a 2-1 lead and serving it out with composure. The second set followed a similar pattern, with Ebden and Thompson converting their fourth break point in the ninth game to gain a crucial advantage. Ebden, who has enjoyed success this year with doubles gold at the Paris Olympics and a title at the Australian Open, highlighted the duo's chemistry, saying, "We love nothing more than those pressure moments."

Australia, seeking their first Davis Cup title since 2003, will now face the winner of the Italy-Argentina clash in the semifinals. The day also featured the Netherlands preparing to face Germany in the first semifinal, following their upset over Spain earlier in the tournament. Australia's captain Lleyton Hewitt praised his team’s effort, stating, "I'm super proud of the boys and the effort they put in," as the nation looks to add to its storied Davis Cup history.

Australia Triumphs Over USA to Secure Davis Cup Semifinal Spot

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