By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Photo credit: Davis Cup Facebook
Explosiveness and the element of surprise prompted Captain Bob Byran’s Davis Cup doubles decision.
Captain Bryan opted to start debutant Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul as last-minute substitutions against Australians Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson in the decisive doubles match of today’s Davis Cup quarterfinals.
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Ebden and Thompson showed their prowess posting a 6-4, 6-4 win over the American pair lifting Australia to a 2-1 victory over the United States and a return to the Davis Cup semifinals.
Asked about his decision to bench scheduled starters and Olympic silver medalists Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in favor of Paul and Shelton, Bob Byran said it was the right call.
“The doubles, we have great options on this team. We have an experienced doubles team in Rajeev and Austin,” Bob Bryan said. “And we’ve got a lot of firepower from the singles lineup. It was a matchup decision in this case, and I wouldn’t change a thing. We were hoping to catch the Aussies a little bit by surprise, but those guys rose to the occasion and served a high percentage, took care of their, you know, their shots and stepped up.
“You know, I’m proud of the way we competed. You know, we could have won it this year with this team. This team has the talent and the ability. It came within an inch of getting another chance in the semis.”
Olympic gold-medal champion Ebden and US Open doubles champion Thompson were particularly effective closing at net where their experience was evident.
“Thompson, obviously US Open champion, finals of Wimbledon, a very accomplished doubles player,” Bob Bryan said. “Matt Ebden won the Olympics. Matt Ebden has seen Rajeev and Austin play a bunch in the last couple of years, and he hasn’t seen too much of Ben and Tommy.
“It was a tactical thing trying to take them by surprise. Ben was obviously on the court for three hours earlier in the day, so, you know, you find rhythm out there. Tommy, you saw what he did at the Olympics. We all respect his doubles. We took a shot at it.
“Those guys played tough. You know, they are one of the best doubles teams in the world right now, and they showed it today. So hats off to those guys. They performed well.”
The U.S. Davis Cup team awaits its draw for the 2025 Qualifying round, held the week of January 27, 2025. The Qualifying round will feature a traditional home-and-away tie with the winner advancing to a new home-and-away round in September.
Davis Cup Quarterfinals—Australia 2, USA 1
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) d. Ben Shelton (USA), 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(14)
Taylor Fritz (USA) d. Alex de Minaur (AUS), 6-3, 6-4
Matthew Ebden / Jordan Thompson (AUS) d. Tommy Paul / Ben Shelton (USA), 6-4, 6-4
