US blank Chile in Davis Cup start

The US ran off a 3-0 win over Chile on Wednesday as the 32-time Davis Cup champions dominated in a group stage tie in Zhuhai.

The victory in China kicked off as injury returnee Reilly Opelka beat Cristian Garin 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(3). Teammate Brandon Nakashima followed on for an untouchable 2-0 lead with his 7-6(5), 2-6, 7-6(3) defeat of Canadian-born Alejandro Tabili.

The American doubles pairing of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram applied the final polish with a wrapup defeat of . Tomas Barrios Vera and Matias Soto 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(3).

“It feels amazing. It was my first-ever Davis Cup win and to do it like that was super special to get the win for the team,” Nakashima said.

“It was super important for us. I’m really happy with the level I was playing. To get the win for the team was super special.”

The Davis Cup mark II, which changed format five years ago, is a scaled-down version of the classic competition which began more than 120 years ago.

Under now defunct Spanish management, the competition was  diluted to its current format of three-set instead of five-set matches and the elimination of the home-and-away system for ties.

The US holds a strong position in Group C standings, trailing Germany on statistical differences. The top two group finishers progress to the finals in Malaga, Spain November 19-24.