Bold Line-Up Gamble Backfires in Davis Cup Drama

United States Davis Cup captain Bob Bryan defended his decision to feature Ben Shelton in doubles, despite losing to Australia. Bryan's line-up change was intended to unsettle opponents, but veterans Ebden and Thompson secured victory, advancing Australia to the semi-finals for the third consecutive year.

United States Davis Cup captain Bob Bryan has stood by his decision to include Ben Shelton, a debutant, in the doubles line-up during their quarter-final clash against Australia, despite the move resulting in a loss. The tie, held in Malaga, was equally poised at 1-1 after a dramatic series of matches.

Veteran doubles player Bryan made a surprising tactical switch for the decisive match, opting for Shelton and Tommy Paul instead of seasoned Olympic runners-up Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek. However, this bold strategy did not pay off as Australia's Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson secured a straight-sets victory, ensuring their team's place in the semi-finals for the third consecutive year.

Bryan explained his strategy aimed to catch the Australians off guard, stating, "It was a match-up decision, and I wouldn't change a thing." Despite the setback, Bryan emphasized the tactical gamble, trusting Shelton's earlier singles experience. Ultimately, the U.S. team's hope to add to their record 32 Davis Cup titles was left unfulfilled.

(With inputs from agencies.)