Keys to the Depth and Need of the US Davis Cup Quest
Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Picture credit score: Mike McNulty/Getty for the ITF Davis Cup
America’s stars confirmed off a medal on the Paris Olympics.
Now, Workforce USA is united in its quest to take the Davis Cup.
Extra: TC stops Jon Wertheim
The US will face Australia on Thursday in probably the most profitable Davis Cup quarterfinal match in Malaga, Spain..
The USA is enjoying for its record-extending thirty third Davis Cup title and first Davis Cup title since 2007 when it beat Russia within the closing in Portland, Oregon.
Australia’s 28-time Davis Cup champion completed second in Italy final 12 months.
Captain Lleyton Hewitt The workforce is enjoying for its first Davis Cup match since 2003.
Chatting with the media in Malaga at the moment, Captain Bob Bryan, who performed a key position within the 2007 workforce, put America’s intention merely.
“The dream is to win the cup,” mentioned captain Bob Bryan. “I feel all of us have a perception. Clearly, you already know, the primary hurdle is Australia, so we’re very centered on that. We will probably be ready.
“The practices are going effectively. We now have an excellent listing, you already know, from high to backside. “
US Open and ATP Finals Taylor Fritz traveled from Turin to Malaga to guide the American workforce within the Australian Open semi-finals Tommy Paul, US Open semifinalist Ben Shelton and two-time Olympic silver medalists Austin Krajicek once more Rajeev Ram.
“There isn’t any have to take care of all these younger males. They’ve a whole lot of expertise,” mentioned Captain Bryan. “Ben has joined the workforce for the primary time. We’re very pleased to have him, and he’s clearly from the faculty of the coast. You already know what these workforce occasions are about, and you already know, being a part of the Laver Cup. “
American No. 1 Fritz mentioned he felt drained and fired up after his historic run in Turin the place he grew to become the primary American since James Blake in 2006 to enter an ATP Finals title match.
“I really feel good. Clearly it has been a protracted 12 months,” mentioned Fritz. “I am actually drained however after I get there, after I’m on the sphere, you already know I am enjoying this match with the workforce, there is not any manner that I will not go to the sphere and really feel up and really feel motivated to play.”
“I feel the truth that it is a workforce occasion, we’re enjoying for all these guys, who’re enjoying for the US, you already know, though it has been a protracted 12 months, it offers me extra motivation that I am not nervous about being there. I can exit and provides it my all.”
Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaurwho owns a 5-4 document towards Fritz, leads an Australian workforce with options Alexei Popyrinthe person is scared Novak Djokovic on the US Open match, two-time US Open champion Jordan Thompson, Thanasi Kokkinakis once more Matthew Ebden.
The Aussies Matthew Ebden and John Friends dominated Krajicek and Ram, 10-8 within the tiebreaker, to win the Olympic doubles gold medal. Fritz and Paul took the Olympic bronze medal in Paris.
Within the Davis Cup’s illustrious 104-year historical past, Australia made its mark as the one nation to come back from 0-2 down within the closing after they fought again to win 0-2 towards the US within the 1939 closing.
Captain Bryan factors to his workforce’s synergy—all 5 gamers can play doubles as Fritz and Shelton partnered within the Laver Cup—expertise and stylistic variety as strengths.
Who will win the quarterfinal of Australia v. USA will face champions Italy led by world no 1 Jannik Sinner or Argentina within the high half semi closing.
“The Davis Cup is totally different. “The environment can convey out a particular efficiency within the gamers,” mentioned Bob Bryan. “You might have seen a whole lot of trauma on this occasion through the years.
“Look, [Italy] he gained it final 12 months for a purpose. They’re a troublesome workforce, Italy. However there are lots of groups that may win this match, and we hope that we will win it.”
Though the Individuals praised the king of clay Rafael Nadal earlier than saying goodbye, they won’t go to the courtroom when the 22-time Grand Slam champion faces the Netherlands at the moment.
“We won’t get tickets,” mentioned Captain Bryan. “I feel the tickets go for $100,000. If you wish to pay me, I am going to go (smiling).”