Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Image credit: Davis Cup Facebook
The explosion and element of surprise requested Captain Bob Byran's Davis Cup doubles decider.
Captain Bryan chose to start his first song Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul as a last-minute substitution against the Australians Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson in the doubles final of the Davis Cup quarterfinal today.
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Ebden and Thompson showed their mettle with a 6-4, 6-4 win over the American pair to lift Australia to a 2-1 win over the United States and a return to the Davis Cup semi-finals.
Asked about his 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 call.
“Doubles, we have good options on this team. We have an experienced doubles team in Rajeev and Austin,” said Bob Bryan. “And we have a lot of fireworks from the singles list. It was a comparative decision in this case, and I wouldn't change anything. We were hoping to catch the Aussies a little bit, but those guys got up. in the event and served a high percentage, took care of, you know, their shot and stepped up.
“You know, I'm proud of the way we competed. You know we could have won with this team this year. This team is talented and talented. She came within inches of getting another chance in the semis. “
Olympic gold medalist Ebden and two-time US Open champion Thompson successfully closed the net where their experience showed.
“Thompson, who is obviously a US Open champion, a Wimbledon finalist, a player who played well in doubles,” said Bob Bryan. “Matt Ebden won the Olympics. Matt Ebden has seen Rajeev and Austin play a lot over the last few years, and he hasn't seen much of Ben and Tommy.
“It was a ploy to try to surprise them. Obviously Ben was on the court three hours earlier, so, you know, he gets a rhythm there. Tommy, you saw what he did at the Olympics. They all respect his two people.
“These guys played hard. You know, they're one of the two best teams in the world right now, and they showed it today. So shut up those guys. Good job.”
The US Davis Cup team is awaiting its draw for the 2025 Qualifying Round, held the week of January 27, 2025. The Qualifying Round will consist of a regular home-and-away match with the winner moving on to the freshman home-and-away round in 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
