Davis Cup/ Taylor Fritz/ Thanasi Kokkinakis/ Ben Shelton/ Alex de Minaur/ US vs Australia/ tennis news/ MALAGA/ Spain/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis edged past Ben Shelton in a thrilling Davis Cup quarterfinal opener, winning 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (14) after saving four match points. Taylor Fritz leveled the tie for the U.S. with a dominant 6-3, 6-4 victory over Alex de Minaur. The doubles match will now decide which country advances to face either Italy or Argentina in the semifinals.
Australia and US Deadlocked After Singles: Davis Cup Quarterfinal Quick Looks
- Match Highlights:
- Kokkinakis defeated Shelton 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (14), saving four match points and converting his seventh.
- Fritz dominated de Minaur 6-3, 6-4 to even the quarterfinal tie.
- Doubles Matchup:
- The deciding doubles match features Shelton and Tommy Paul for the U.S. against Australia’s Matt Ebden and Jordan Thompson.
- Historical Stakes:
- The U.S. aims to end a Davis Cup title drought dating back to 2007, while Australia seeks its first win since 2003.
- Semifinal Matchup:
- The winner will face defending champions Italy or Argentina on Saturday.
Kokkinakis and Fritz Secure Wins, Setting Up Davis Cup Doubles Decider
Deep Look
The Davis Cup quarterfinal showdown between the United States and Australia is heading to a deciding doubles match after a pair of gripping singles clashes. Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis triumphed in a marathon 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (14) victory over Ben Shelton, while Taylor Fritz secured a straightforward 6-3, 6-4 win against Alex de Minaur to keep U.S. hopes alive.
The match unfolded on the indoor hard courts of the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena in southern Spain, with both teams vying to advance to the semifinals in this historic tournament.
Kokkinakis Edges Shelton in Nail-Biter
Kokkinakis displayed remarkable resilience, saving four match points and eventually capitalizing on his seventh opportunity to clinch the win. The 77th-ranked Australian overcame Shelton’s 21 aces and a spirited comeback effort in the second set.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been that pumped up in my life. I wanted that for my team,” Kokkinakis said. The victory ended with Kokkinakis throwing his racket in celebration and embracing Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt.
Shelton, ranked 21st and making his Davis Cup debut, acknowledged the challenge of adjusting to the high-stakes environment. “Once I got going, I thought I found a really good groove. I didn’t exactly like how I finished the match at the end,” Shelton admitted.
Kokkinakis committed just 15 unforced errors, compared to Shelton’s 29, which proved critical in the final tiebreaker.
Fritz Dominates de Minaur
Taylor Fritz brought stability to Team USA with a commanding win over Australia’s top singles player, Alex de Minaur. Fritz, currently ranked 10th in the world, relied on his consistent serve, winning nine of his 10 service games.
“I felt really good out there despite the quick turnaround after the ATP Finals,” Fritz said. The American had reached the championship match in Turin, Italy, on Sunday before flying to Spain to prepare for the Davis Cup.
This victory highlighted Fritz’s strong form, which includes reaching the U.S. Open final in September, the first for an American man in a Grand Slam since 2009.
Doubles Showdown Looms
With the singles matches split, the quarterfinal tie now rests on the doubles encounter. The U.S. team opted for a surprise pairing of Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul, replacing Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram, who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Australia will counter with Matt Ebden and Jordan Thompson, who bring experience and success in high-pressure doubles matches.
The outcome will determine which country advances to face either defending champions Italy, led by Jannik Sinner, or Argentina in the semifinals on Saturday.
Historical Context and Stakes
The U.S. and Australia are the most decorated nations in Davis Cup history, boasting 32 and 28 titles, respectively. However, both have faced droughts in recent years. The Americans last won in 2007, while Australia’s last triumph came in 2003.
