Taylor Fritz pulled the United States degree with Italy at 1-1 within the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Thursday after Frances Tiafoe misplaced his singles. The tie can be determined in doubles.
No. 9-ranked Fritz beat Lorenzo Musetti 7-6 (8), 6-3 on the indoor hard-court in Málaga after Lorenzo Sonego used his massive serve to defeat Tiafoe a 6-3, 7-6 (7).
American pair Tommy Paul and Jack Sock had been slotted to play Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini in doubles.
Fritz hit 12 aces and transformed one break to raised the No. 23-ranked Musetti for a second time after beating him at Wimbledon in June.
Sonego, ranked No. 45, struck 17 aces and by no means ceded a service recreation to Tiafoe. Sonego clinched the win after Tiafoe netted a forehand following an extended rally to finish the second-set tiebreaker.
“I feel like I let my guys down,” Tiafoe mentioned. “It’s tough. It has been a great season for me and I wanted to win for my team, so (I feel) some extra frustration because it is not about me, it is about the team.”
No. 19-ranked Tiafoe, who reached the U.S. Open semifinals in September, gained their solely earlier assembly on the Paris Masters simply over three weeks in the past.
This time Sonego took the initiative, Tiafoe mentioned.
“A couple of weeks ago I was playing very aggressive, running him around, hitting much harder; today he was,” Tiafoe added.
Sonego saved two set factors whereas serving 6-5 down within the second set to drive the tiebreaker. He mentioned he drew on the loud Italian followers who confirmed as much as assist him in Spain, which is residence to greater than 250,00 Italians.
“It was an amazing atmosphere,” Sonego mentioned. “We are in Málaga, not too far (from home). I really enjoyed every moment on the court with the crowd.”
Italy is enjoying with out its high two gamers as Jannik Sinner heals an injured finger and Matteo Berrettini recovers from a harm foot.
The U.S. holds a report 32 Davis Cup trophies, however its final one got here in 2007 below the earlier format of ties being held at host international locations as a substitute of the revamped occasion the place the ultimate eight groups collect in a single spot for every week of tennis.
Fritz mentioned that regardless of an extended season that together with three titles and an look finally week’s ATP Finals, he stored his promise to workforce captain Mardy Fish.
“I gave Mardy my word I was going to be here and compete for my team,” Fritz mentioned. “Now that I am here and see the other teams and see our team I feel we have a very genuine chance of winning it all.”
Later, Germany performs Canada within the quarterfinals.
On Wednesday, a Croatia led by Marin Cilic superior after beating a Spain facet that was lacking Rafael Nadal and No. 1-ranked Carlos Alcaraz.
Croatia will face Australia within the semifinals after it beat the Netherlands on Tuesday.
The ultimate is on Sunday.