Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Photo source: Davis Cup Facebook
Sparking an element of explosiveness and surprise Captain Bob Byron’s The Davis Cup doubled down on the decision.
Captain Brian decided to start his debut Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul As a last minute substitute against the Australians. Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson Today in the doubles match of the Davis Cup quarterfinals.
more: TC suspended Jon Wertheim.
Ebden and Thompson showed their mettle as they led Australia to a 2-1 win over the United States and a 6-4, 6-4 victory over the American pair, who are returning to the Davis Cup semi-finals.
On the decision to bench scheduled starters and Olympic silver medalists Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in favor of Paul and Shelton, Bob Byran said it was the right decision.
“Doubles, we have great options on this team. We have an experienced doubles team in Rajeev and Austin,” said Bob Bryan. “And we’ve got a lot of firepower in the singles line-up. In this case, it was a matchup decision and I wouldn’t change a thing. We were hoping to surprise the Aussies a little bit, but those guys rose up and served at a high rate to suit the situation.” Provided and managed their shots and stepped up.
“You know, I’m proud of the way we competed. You know, if we had this team this year, we could have won it. This team has talent and ability. We have a chance to get another shot in the semifinals.” Not even an inch left.”
Ebden, the Olympic gold medal champion, and Thompson, the US Open doubles champion, finished particularly effectively at the net, where their experience was evident.
“Thompson is obviously a U.S. Open champion, has reached the Wimbledon final, and is a very good doubles player,” Bob Bryan said. “Matt Ebden won the Olympics. Matt Ebden has seen Rajeev and Austin play a lot over the years, but he hasn’t seen Ben and Tommy much.
“It was a tactical thing to do to surprise them. Ben was obviously on the court three hours earlier that day so he was able to find a rhythm there. Tommy, you saw what he did in the Olympics. We all respect his doubles.
“Those guys played a tough game. As you know, they are one of the best doubles teams in the world right now and they showed that today. So hats off to those guys. They did a good job.”
The U.S. Davis Cup team awaits the 2025 qualifying round draw to be held the week of January 27, 2025. The qualifying round will feature traditional home and away ties, with the winners advancing to the new home and away round on January 27, 2025. September.
Davis Cup quarterfinals—Australia 2, USA 1
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) d. Ben Shelton (USA), 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (14)
Taylor Fritz (USA) d. Alex de Minaur (AUS), 6-3, 6-4
Matthew Ebden / Jordan Thompson (AUS) d. Tommy Paul / Ben Shelton (USA), 6-4, 6-4
