Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton lost their decisive doubles rubber to the Australians (Image: Tennis Channel)
The USA was knocked out of the Davis Cup after losing a decisive doubles rubber to Australia in their quarter-final tie on Tuesday.
It was all square after the first two singles matches, for the Aussies before pulled one back for America.
Ahead of the decisive rubber, USA captain Bob Bryan suddenly swapped out two champion doubles players for singles players and Tommy Paul. And the decision backfired, as they were beaten by doubles specialists Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson.
At the start of the day, both teams named their picks for all three matches. Kokkinakis faced Shelton in the first singles match before Fritz took on Alex de Minaur in clash of top-10 players.
Team USA named Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram for the doubles. Together, the stars won an Olympic silver medal this summer. Both are former doubles No. 1s and have won Grand Slams.
But captain Bob Bryan – himself a GOAT in the doubles world – made a last-minute change ahead of the winner-take-all doubles match. He swapped them out for the young pairing of Shelton and Paul, who are singles specialists.
It was a risk. And it backfired. Ebden and Thompson needed just 75 minutes to beat them 6-4 6-4, helping Australia advance to the semi-final of the World Cup of men’s tennis.
Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson got the job done for Australia (Image: Getty)
Just in
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our
Ebden and Thompson were also named in the initial line-up and Australia’s captain Lleyton Hewitt didn’t make any changes to his nominations.
Both men came to Malaga from the ATP Finals in Turin, where they were part of the elite eight doubles teams with their respective partners on tour. Ebden teamed up with another Aussie – John Peers – to win Olympic gold this summer. He’s a former No. 1 with multiple Majors under his belt.
Meanwhile, Thompson is the year-end No. 3 in doubles and won the US Open with Max Purcell this year. Their expertise proved crucial against the American pair, though they were surprised by the late change in America’s doubles nomination.
Asked whether they had to make any sudden changes to their tactics when they saw their new opponents, Ebden replied: “A little bit, yeah for sure.
“We were expecting the other pair, we knew they’ve got incredible players who can play doubles. We were ready, a slight adjustment obviously, some huge-serving singles players than the doubles craft maybe.
“But it was just as big a challenge as any. out here, final live match, just to play with Jordan here was real fun. Following what Kokk did, unfortunately Alex went down. But what a day. So fun, so happy.”
Meanwhile, Thompson was elated to get the job done for his country. “I mean incredible. We got the break there at 4-4, I could’ve run over the top of the whole bench there. I just wear my heart on my sleeve and bleed green and gold,” he said.
It will be a tough lost for team USA to digest. Fritz also came straight to Malaga from Turin after finishing as the runner-up in singles at the ATP Finals. At the time, he said all the players were committed to a big run at the Davis Cup.
“I will be going to Davis Cup. I think they want me to practice tomorrow. I said it’s probably not going to happen. I think I need a day off,” he said after Sunday’s final in Italy.
“Yeah, I would love to just go home. All the players, we came together and we said, We’ve got a really strong team, let’s give our best effort, try to win this thing.”