Australia arrange a Davis Cup semi-final conflict with defending champions Italy as doubles pair Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson sealed victory in opposition to america on Thursday.
Olympic champion Ebden and Thompson beat shock pairing Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton 6-4 6-4 to place Lleyton Hewitt’s aspect into their third successive semi-final of the lads’s workforce occasion.
They may now have the chance to avenge final yr’s last defeat by Italy after world primary Jannik Sinner impressed the holders to a 2-1 victory over Argentina.
The U.S. have been slight favourites going right into a battle between the 2 most profitable nations within the competitors’s historical past, however Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis beat debutant Shelton 6-1 4-6 7-6(14) within the opening singles after saving 4 match factors.
World quantity 4 Taylor Fritz then levelled it up with a 6-3 6-4 defeat of Alex de Minaur to ship the tie to the doubles.
American captain Bob Bryan sprung a shock as he opted in opposition to sending out Olympic runners-up Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek and as an alternative gambled on Shelton and Paul to try to get the 32-times champions to their first semi-final since 2018.
However his plan backfired as Ebden and U.S. Open winner Thompson’s better doubles craft proved decisive.
“As a captain you must make robust choices. This wasn’t a black-and-white determination. It was razor-thin edge and we went with it,” Bryan mentioned.
After Italy’s girls claimed the Billie Jean King Cup title in Malaga on Wednesday, the nation’s males will now be favourites to make it a momentous double for the nation.
Davis Cup 2024 dates and venue
The Davis Cup Finals started on Tuesday November 19, 2024 and run via to the ultimate on Sunday, November 24.
Malaga is internet hosting the motion, with all matches being performed on indoor hard-courts on the Martin Carpena Enviornment.
Rafael Nadal’s profession has come to an finish
Getty Photos for ITF
watch the Davis Cup 2024
TV channel and reside stream: The Davis Cup Finals will probably be proven reside on the Tennis Channel, which prices £2.49 a month within the UK after a seven-day free trial.
The ultimate on Sunday will probably be obtainable to look at on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Pink Button.
Italy are the defending Davis Cup champions
AFP through Getty Photos
Netherlands: Tallon Griekspoor, Botic van de Zandschulp, Jesper de Jong, Wesley Koolhof
Germany: Jan-Lennard Struff, Daniel Altmaier, Yannick Hanfmann, Kevin Krawietz, Tim Putz
Australia: Alexei Popyrin, Jordan Thompson, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Max Purcell, Matthew Ebden
Italy: Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti, Matteo Berrettini, Simone Bolelli, Andrea Vavassori
Not like the best-of-five ties within the teams, it’s best-of-three on the Davis Cup Finals.
The 2 singles matches will probably be performed first, with a doubles match then deciding the tie if crucial. All matches are best-of-three units.
Odds through Betfair. Topic to alter.
