Australia book Davis semis with knockout of US

Australia dealt the US a 2-1 defeat on Thursday to reach a Davis Cup semi-final spot thanks to a doubles victory in Malaga.

The 28-time winners of the worldwide team competition are seeking a first final in more than two decades; the nation finished runner-up at the last two editions,

Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson defeated Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton 6-4, 6-4 to secure the winning point after the singles stood 1-1.

Thanasi Kokkinaki secured the opening point for Australia in dramatic style, saving four match points and defeating Shelton on his own seventh winning chance, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (14).

The Americans pulled level with a singles win from US Open finalist Taylor Fritz over Alex de Minaur, 6-3, 6-4.

Captain Lleyton Hewitt followed his instincts as he chose national No. 4 Kokkinakis ahead of his higher-ranked players.

“Making a selection is never easy,” the skipper said.  “Thanasi played two incredible matches in Valencia for us only a couple of months ago. 

“We kind of put him on ice until now and unleashed him today. He fully repaid us. That was fantastic.”

Ebden and Thompson clinched the tie in doubles as US captain Bob Bryan made a change in his lineup, sending in Paul and Shelton over the experienced pair of  Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.

“We were expecting the other pair, but we knew they’ve got incredible players who can play doubles,” said Ebden. 

“We were ready. A slight adjustment obviously. More huge serving singles players than the doubles craft, maybe, but it was just as big a challenge as any. Out here, final live match, just to play with Jordan here was real fun. 

“Following what Kokk did, unfortunately Alex went down, but what a day. So fun, so happy.”

Australia will now wait for a final four opponent as defending champion Italy led by Jannik Sinner take on Argentina.