Reilly Opelka, Brandon Nakashima survive ‘epic day’ to help USA past Chile | ATP Tour

Davis Cup

Opelka, Nakashima survive ‘epic day’ to assist USA previous Chile

Krajicek & Ram rally from set down in doubles

September 11, 2024

America swept Chile 3-0 in Wednesday’s Davis Cup Finals Group Stage conflict, however the victory was much less simple than the scoreline urged. The Individuals wanted a deciding-set tie-break in all three matches in Zhuhai.

Reilly Opelka and Brandon Nakashima led the singles cost earlier than Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram secured the clear sweep for Group USA.

“It was really an epic day of tennis for each groups,” mentioned United States workforce captain Bob Bryan. “Everybody confirmed a variety of coronary heart, a variety of guts. Hats off to the Chileans. Hats off to our guys who have been actually digging deep, particularly within the massive moments.

“I don’t suppose it’s ever occurred in Davis Cup that every one matches went to the third-set breaker… historic day. Simply feeling very, very pleased with the gamers.”

Opelka started the day by hammering 27 aces to edge previous Cristian Garin 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(3) and enhance to 2-1 of their Lexus ATP Head2Head sequence.

“My serve is the shot that had been taking me the longest to get again since my damage,” mentioned Opelka, who’s enjoying simply his seventh occasion of the season.“I didn’t serve nicely on the US Open, however each week it’s been getting higher. I’ve been beginning to get the accuracy again.

“I believe it’s going to proceed to progress and get slightly bit higher and again to the place it was, as a result of you already know I believe it was among the best.”

Nakashima, contemporary off a career-best fourth-round run at his residence Slam, made his Davis Cup debut in type. The 23-year-old overcame World No. 22 Alejandro Tabilo 7-6(5), 2-6, 7-6(3) after two hours, 44 minutes in humid situations.

Tie: SEALED 🇺🇸@b_nakashima pulls via a brutal encounter in opposition to Tabilo 7-6(5) 2-6 7-6(3)!@DavisCup | #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/P60tUPyWXd

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 11, 2024

“It feels superb,” mentioned Nakashima. “It was my first ever Davis Cup win and to do it like that was tremendous particular. To get the win for the workforce was tremendous necessary. I used to be actually proud of the best way I used to be enjoying.”

Krajicek and Ram, who partnered to win the Paris Olympics silver medal, closed the day by rallying previous Tomas Barrios Vera and Matias Soto 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(3). The Individuals gained 85 per cent of their first-serve factors and saved 4 of the 5 break factors they confronted.

America will subsequent conflict in opposition to Slovakia on Friday. Chile faces Germany on Thursday.

Contribution from daviscup.com within the report.