Carlos Alcaraz bounced again from his stunning U.S. Open exit to guide Spain to a victorious begin within the Davis Cup on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old, who claimed each the French Open and Wimbledon titles this yr, was unexpectedly knocked out within the second spherical at Flushing Meadows final month.
With some surprising downtime, Alcaraz made a spontaneous journey to Monza to catch the Formula One Italian Grand Prix earlier than returning to the courtroom in Valencia, the place Spain confronted the Czech Republic of their Davis Cup group-stage opener.
Roberto Bautista Agut secured Spain’s first level with a 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka.
Alcaraz then entered the fray, recovering from a 6-7 (3-7) first-set loss to Tomas Machac to dominate the second set 6-1 earlier than Machac retired.
Alcaraz adopted that up by partnering Marcel Granollers to a tense 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) doubles win over Jakub Mensik and Adam Pavlasek to say the Group B tie 3-0.
Earlier in China, the United States started its hunt for a record-extending thirty third Davis Cup title by sweeping apart Chile.
Bob Bryan’s aspect, regardless of being the underdog by way of rankings, downed the higher-ranked South Americans 3-0 of their group-stage opener in Zhuhai.
The U.S. might have gained the primary of its report haul within the inaugural version of the annual males’s group competitors in 1900, however the final time it picked up the well-known “salad bowl” trophy was in 2007.
At the Hengqin International Tennis Centre, world No. 309 Reilly Opelka, No. 40 Brandon Nakashima, and the doubles duo Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram proved too sturdy for Nicolas Massu’s males.
Opelka acquired the primary level on the board for the Americans, beating Cristian Garin 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3).
Next up was Nakashima, who loved a dream Davis Cup debut, downing world No. 22 Alejandro Tabilo 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 7-6 (7-3).
Then it was the flip of Paris Olympic silver medalists Krajicek and Ram to proceed the profitable streak, defeating Tomas Barrios Vera and Matias Soto 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).
Given the closeness of the three matches, all of which went all the way down to deciding set tiebreaks, it was little surprise Bryan described it as “an epic day of tennis.”
Bryan, who together with his twin brother Mike gained 16 Grand Slam doubles titles and was a part of the 2007 Davis Cup title-winning group, added: “Everyone confirmed numerous coronary heart, numerous 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 assume it’s ever occurred in Davis Cup that each one matches went to the third-set breaker — historic day. Just feeling very, very pleased with the gamers.”
Amazing
Opelka, who underwent wrist surgical procedure in July, mirrored: “Being the underdog in the tie, it’s great to start with a win.”
Despite his current operation, he fired 27 aces en path to victory, saying: “My serve’s the shot that had been taking me the longest to get back since my injury. I didn’t serve well at the U.S. Open, but every week it’s been getting better and better.”
Nakashima, in the meantime, was basking in incomes his first Davis Cup level on the first try.
“It feels amazing. It was my first Davis Cup win, and to do it like that was super special.”
The Americans have a day without work earlier than Friday’s subsequent Group C conflict with Slovakia, which is hurting after Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to Germany. Germany takes on Chile on Thursday.
The U.S. is aiming to make it out of the group stage and progress to the finals for the primary time since 2022.
Over in Manchester, Britain beat Finland 2-1, because of singles wins from Dan Evans and Billy Harris.
In Bologna, defending champions Italy, with out newly minted U.S. Open champion Jannik Sinner, secured a win over Brazil because of singles victories for Matteo Berrettini and Matteo Arnaldi.
The high two nations in every of the 4 teams within the round-robin section will qualify for the eight-team closing in Malaga, Spain, from Nov. 19-24.
Source: www.dailysabah.com