USA OUT Of Davis Cup 2024 Bob Bryan’s team after a surprise doubles selection Australia Defeat USA, Australia advances to the semi-finals after the United States’ Davis Cup gamble backfires.Bob Bryan’s team after a surprise doubles selection.
the team’s heartbreaking 2-1 quarterfinal loss to Australia, U.S. Davis Cup captain Bob Bryan defended his audacious selection decisions. In the pivotal match, Bryan, a legendary doubles player, chose singles experts Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul over seasoned doubles players Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek. The risk backfired, as Australia’s Matt Ebden and Jordan Thompson, who are both ranked in the top 10 for doubles, defeated the Americans 6-4, 6-4.
Bryan clarified during a news conference that the choice was made within the fifteen minutes that separated the second and third games. “We have a seasoned doubles team with Rajeev and Austin, but we also have tremendous firepower in singles,”
Bryan stated. “We hoped to catch the Australians off guard.”
But former Wimbledon and U.S. Open winner Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt said they were unconcerned. “Honestly, it didn’t surprise us,” Hewitt said. “We had seen them practicing during the week, so we were prepared.”
Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis (ranked No. 78) and Shelton (ranked No. 21) were engaged in a wild match to begin the encounter. Shelton was defeated 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(14) in a long tiebreaker. The world No. 4 and top-ranked singles player in the United States, Taylor Fritz, defeated Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4 to equalize the match.
Bryan’s unusual decision caused several people to take notice in the doubles. Paul and Shelton, who have no ATP-level doubles experience, were Bryan’s choice to field rather than Grand Slam champions Ram and Krajicek. Despite Shelton’s collegiate doubles background and occasional tour appearances, the two did not click with Ebden and Thompson, both of whom are skilled doubles players.
Leading his first Davis Cup season as captain full-time, Bryan recognized the dangers. It’s a game of analysis. You take into account team preferences, opponent strengths, and player dynamics,” he stated. Ram and Krajicek cheered the team on from the sidelines despite their absence. “They were great teammates, providing tactical advice and cheering us on,” said Bryan.
The choice brought to mind the 2022 Davis Cup, where Mardy Fish, the captain at the time, came under fire for completely excluding Ram from the lineup.
The United States lost the decisive doubles match and also lost in the quarterfinals that year.
Australia advances to the semi-finals after the United States’ Davis Cup gamble backfires.
the team’s heartbreaking 2-1 quarterfinal loss to Australia, U.S. Davis Cup captain Bob Bryan defended his audacious selection decisions. In the pivotal match, Bryan, a legendary doubles player, chose singles experts Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul over seasoned doubles players Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek. The risk backfired, as Australia’s Matt Ebden and Jordan Thompson, who are both ranked in the top 10 for doubles, defeated the Americans 6-4, 6-4.
Bryan clarified during a news conference that the choice was made within the fifteen minutes that separated the second and third games. “We have a seasoned doubles team with Rajeev and Austin, but we also have tremendous firepower in singles,”
Bryan stated. “We hoped to catch the Australians off guard.”
But former Wimbledon and U.S. Open winner Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt said they were unconcerned. “Honestly, it didn’t surprise us,” Hewitt said. “We had seen them practicing during the week, so we were prepared.”
Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis (ranked No. 78) and Shelton (ranked No. 21) were engaged in a wild match to begin the encounter. Shelton was defeated 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(14) in a long tiebreaker. The world No. 4 and top-ranked singles player in the United States, Taylor Fritz, defeated Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4 to equalize the match.
Bryan’s unusual decision caused several people to take notice in the doubles. Bryan relied on Paul and Shelton, who have little doubles exposure at the ATP, rather than Grand Slam champions Ram and Krajicek, who have a great deal of experience.
Bryan stated. “We hoped to catch the Australians off guard.”
But former Wimbledon and U.S. Open winner Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt said they were unconcerned. “Honestly, it didn’t surprise us,” Hewitt said. “We had seen them practicing during the week, so we were prepared.”
Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis (ranked No. 78) and Shelton (ranked No. 21) were engaged in a wild match to begin the encounter. Shelton was defeated 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(14) in a long tiebreaker. The world No. 4 and top-ranked singles player in the United States, Taylor Fritz, defeated Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4 to equalize the match.
Bryan’s unusual decision caused several people to take notice in the doubles. Bryan relied on Paul and Shelton, who have little doubles exposure at the ATP, rather than Grand Slam champions Ram and Krajicek, who have a great deal of experience.
Thompson and Ebden, who have had a fantastic season, took use of their skill with accurate volleys and tactical knowledge. In contrast, the Americans had trouble staying cohesive and consistent.
The United States is still having trouble in the Davis Cup after this defeat. The club hasn’t won a championship since 2007 or advanced to the playoffs since 2018. Last week’s early elimination of the U.S. women’s team from the Billie Jean King Cup further compounded the heartbreak.
Australia will now play the winner of Italy vs. Argentina in the semifinals on Saturday. As all is going on, the United States leaves Málaga thinking back on a failed gamble.
Will Australia Make a Comeback to the Davis Cup Winners’ Circle in 2024?
With a thrilling 2-1 victory over the United States in Málaga on Thursday, the 28-time Davis Cup champions made a significant step toward winning their first team event since 2003. Having finished second in 2022 and 2023, Australia’s run this year was distinguished by Thanasi Kokkinakis’ incredible opening singles victory, which was crucial to their quarterfinal victory.
In the first set of the tie, Kokkinakis defeated Ben Shelton in a thrilling 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (14) triumph after saving four match points and missing six of his own. Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt’s choice to start the World No. 77 at number two was supported by this outstanding performance.
singles position, even though Kokkinakis is the team’s fourth-ranked player.
“It’s never easy to make these choices,” Hewitt added. “Just a few months ago, Thanasi performed two fantastic games for us in Valencia. We kept him back till today, and he really delivered. He was amazing.
Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur rematched their recent meeting at the Nitto ATP Finals in the second singles match. Fritz prevailed 6-3, 6-4 to force a crucial doubles match, just as he had in Turin. However, the Australian bench and supporters celebrated when Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson defeated Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton 6-4, 6-4, defeating the American effort.
“Amazing. The break came at
It felt like the entire bench burst when the score was 4–4 [in the second set], Thompson recalled. “I bleed green and gold, and I always have my heart on my sleeve.”
Following a last-minute alteration to the U.S. doubles roster, Ebden and Thompson prevailed. Instead of starting regulars Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram, captain Bob Bryan chose to start Paul and Shelton. The Australian couple didn’t let the sudden change deter them.
“We knew they have incredible players who can step up in doubles, but we were ready for the other team,” Ebden remarked. It was a minor change, perhaps more difficult when playing against big-serve singles opponents, but it was just as difficult as any other match. It was such a thrill to play beside Jordan in the final game.
happiness. This day will never be forgotten, especially in light of Kokk’s actions earlier and Alex’s difficult defeat. So much joy and so much pleasure.
Australia’s hopes of winning the Davis Cup are still alive thanks to this outstanding effort. Is 2024 the year they finally take back the title? The world’s tennis enthusiasts will be eagerly observing.
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