Malaga (Spain), Nov 22 (UNI) Australia triumphed 2-1 over the United States in a dramatic Davis Cup quarterfinal at the Palacio de Deportes, advancing to the semifinals for the third consecutive year.
Thanasi Kokkinakis gave Australia an early advantage with a 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (14) victory over Ben Shelton. The match featured a gripping tiebreak that went down in history as the longest in five years, with Kokkinakis clinching the win on his seventh match point.
USA captain Bob Bryan made a bold last-minute decision to switch out his top-ranked doubles players for singles stars Tommy Paul and Shelton. However, the gamble did not pay off, as Australia’s Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson sealed a 6-4, 6-4 win in the doubles, securing the tie for Australia.
Despite a resilient effort from the US, including Shelton saving multiple break points, Australia’s experience in doubles proved decisive. Ebden and Thompson broke early and controlled the match, dispatching their opponents in straight sets.
Kokkinakis and Shelton battled through an intense final set, with the Australian eventually securing victory in one of the most dramatic tiebreaks in Davis Cup history, marking a thrilling conclusion to the match.
Australia will meet Italy in the semifinals on Saturday, 23 November, in a rematch of the 2023 Davis Cup Final, where Italy emerged victorious.
