Davis Cup 2024: Thanasi Kokkinakis helps Australia past Taylor Fritz's USA for semi-final spot
Updated 21/11/2024 at 16:44 GMT
Australia will face either Italy or Argentina in the Davis Cup semi-finals after they beat USA 2-1 in Malaga on Thursday - with Thanasi Kokkinakis to thank for his early individual heroics. The tie could have gone either way as the Australian was locked fiercely in battle with Ben Shelton, but Kokkinakis edged a thrilling tie-break before Jordan Thompson and Matthew Ebden won the decisive doubles.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Australia booked their spot in the semi-finals of the 2024 Davis Cup after battling to a 2-1 victory over the USA in Malaga on Thursday.
Thanasi Kokkinakis put Lleyton Hewitt's side in the driving seat after a dramatic opening singles rubber, edging a thrilling tie-break 16-14 on his seventh match point.
But USA levelled the affair as American No. 1 Taylor Fritz showcased his class in a straight-sets victory over Alex de Minaur.
Fritz posted a 6-3 6-4 scoreline to put the tie on a knife-edge, which would be decided by the doubles match.
And a changed American line-up saw Shelton, alongside Tommy Paul, emphatically beaten in straight sets by Australian duo Jordan Thompson and Matthew Ebden.
The pair helped Australia advance to their third consecutive semi-final, to take on either Davis Cup holders Italy or Argentina.
Kokkinakis downs Shelton
Despite Paul's superior singles ranking, USA opted for Shelton as they looked for a fast start in Malaga, and he initially looked his usual assured self - holding to love as Kokkinakis struggled to handle the American's serve.
But the Australian soon got the measure of his counterpart - who began to falter - and raced through a triple break, rattling home six straight games to take the first set in 23 minutes.
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The reset, however, seemed to be exactly what Shelton needed - the American recovering with aplomb to gain an immediate break in the second set.
And the early break set Shelton up for a far more resilient second set - holding firm on serve to trade holds with Kokkinakis until levelling the match at 1-1 by a 6-4 scoreline.
The morning clash soon ascended into immersive drama, as the pair traded holds all the way to a tie-break.
It was Kokkinakis who looked to have the advantage after winning a mini-break to go 4-1 up, but Shelton cut the deficit to 5-4 after his own mini-break, while Kokkinakis immediately snapped back to set up a match point on serve.
But Shelton saved it and put himself within a point of claiming the match as he forged 8-7 ahead.
The pair exchanged mini-holds, trading match points aplenty until Kokkinakis eventually closed the high-octane opener at the seventh opportunity for 16-14 - giving Australia an early lead.
Fritz fires back for USA
Fritz continued his emphatic recent form to pull USA back level, claiming a straight-sets victory over De Minaur in a rematch of their ATP Finals clash just seven days prior.
The American No. 1 claimed victory in three sets over the Australian in Turin, but made lighter work of his victory in Malaga - speeding his side to parity in one hour and 11 minutes.
De Minaur started slowly as he was immediately broken to love, as Fritz raced three games ahead before closing it out 6-3.
De Minaur looked to be returning the favour early in the second set, going 2-0 up after winning his first break of the match. But Fritz provided an immediate response - the pair locking horns until 4-4, when the American found a decisive break to serve for the match.
And he made no mistake in dispatching De Minaur, sending the tie to a decisive doubles encounter.
Australia reign supreme to reach SF
Team USA opted to change their team for the all-important decider - bringing in Shelton and Tommy Paul, while Paris 2024 Olympic silver medal winners Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram were sidelined.
But the well-versed doubles duo of Thompson and Ebden found their rhythm immediately to break for 2-1 and held their nerve to hold out for the set - clinching it 6-4.
The tension was palpable as USA and Australia engaged in another edgy set, each taking full advantage of their serve to level at 4-4.
But it was Australia who found the breakthrough, Edben starring with two fine winners to grab an integral break and serve for the match.
And they closed out victory with another clinical hold, as USA pair Shelton and Paul failed to break the Australian pair once - Ebden and Thompson leading their side to a semi-final with either Italy or Argentina.
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