Depth and Need Keys for U.S. Davis Cup Quest

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Photograph credit score: Mike McNulty/Getty for ITF Davis Cup 

U.S. stars confirmed the mettle to medal on the Paris Olympics.

Now, Group USA is united in its quest to seize the Davis Cup. 

More: TC Suspends Jon Wertheim

The USA will face Australia on Thursday in a quarterfinal conflict of the 2 most profitable nations in Davis Cup historical past in Malaga, Spain.

The USA is enjoying for a record-extending thirty third Davis Cup championship—and first Davis Cup crown since 2007 when it beat Russia within the ultimate staged in Portland, Oregon.

The 28-time Davis Cup champion Australia was runner-up to Italy final yr.

Captain Lleyton Hewitt’s squad is enjoying for its first Davis Cup championship since 2003.

Assembly the media in Malaga in the present day, Captain Bob Bryan, who performed a key function on the 2007 championship squad, acknowledged the American purpose merely.

“The dream is to win the Cup,” Captain Bob Bryan mentioned. “I believe all of us have the idea. Clearly, you recognize, the primary hurdle is Australia, so we’re ultra-focused on that. We’ll be ready.

“The practices are going effectively. Now we have an awesome roster, you recognize, from high to backside.”

US Open and ATP Finals finalist Taylor Fritz made the journey from Turin to Malaga to guide an American squad that options former Australian Open semifinalist Tommy Paul, former US Open semifinalist Ben Shelton and Olympic doubles silver medal winners Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.

“I needn’t undergo all these guys. They’ve tons of expertise,” Captain Bryan mentioned. “Ben has joined the crew for the primary time. We’re very pumped to have him with us, and he clearly comes from faculty tennis. He is aware of what these crew occasions are all about and, you recognize, being a Laver Cup participant, as effectively.”

American No. 1 Fritz mentioned he’s feeling fatigued and fired up after his historic run in Turin the place he grew to become the primary American since James Blake in 2006 to contest the ATP Finals title match.

“I really feel good. Clearly it has been an extended yr,” Fritz mentioned. “I am fairly worn out, however as soon as I am right here, as soon as I am on the courtroom, you recognize, enjoying this competitors with the crew, there isn’t any manner that I am not going to go on the courtroom and really feel pumped up and really feel motivated to play.

“I believe the truth that it is a crew occasion, enjoying for all these guys, enjoying for the U.S., you recognize, although it has been an extended yr, it offers me that additional motivation that I am not apprehensive that I will have the ability to go on the market and provides it all the things.”

Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur, who owns a 5-4 file vs. Fritz, leads an Australian crew that options Alexei Popyrin, the person who shocked Novak Djokovic on the US Open, US Open doubles champion Jordan Thompson, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Matthew Ebden.

Aussies Matthew Ebden and John Friends edged Krajicek and Ram, 10-8 within the match tiebreaker, to win the Olympic doubles gold medal. Fritz and Paul took the Olympic bronze medal in Paris.

In its storied 104-year Davis Cup historical past, Australia made its mark as the one nation to rally from an 0-2 deficit within the ultimate when it fought again from 0-2 all the way down to defeat the USA within the 1939 ultimate.

Captain Bryan factors to his squad’s versatility—all 5 gamers can play doubles as Fritz and Shelton partnered at Laver Cup—expertise and stylistic selection as strengths.

The winner of the Australia v. USA quarterfinal will face both defending-champion Italy led by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner or Argentina within the top-half semifinal.

“Davis Cup’s totally different. The environment can carry out particular performances in gamers,” Bob Bryan mentioned. “You have got seen a number of massive upsets on this occasion over time.

“Look, [Italy] gained it final yr for a motive. They seem to be a robust crew, Italy. However there may be a number of groups that may win this match, and we have now the idea we are able to do it.”

Whereas the People praised king of clay Rafael Nadal forward of his farewell, they will not be courtside when the 22-time Grand Slam champion faces Netherlands in the present day.

“We will not get tickets,” Captain Bryan mentioned. “I believe the tickets are going for $100,000. If you wish to pay for me, I will go (smiling).”