Brandon Nakashima of the USA competes against Maximilian Marterer of Germany in a Davis Cup Finals Group C match in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, September 14, 2024. /CFP
A second-string USA squad extended their Davis Cup winning run by dismantling Germany 2-1 to top Group C in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, on Saturday after both countries had already secured spots in the quarterfinals of the premier team competition in men's tennis.
The 32-time winners were without big names like US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe for their Group C campaign this week, but still had enough firepower to take down Germany and wrap up a third straight win.
Brandon Nakashima gave the Americans an unassailable 2-0 lead by comfortably beating Maximilian Marterer 6-4, 6-2 in the second singles match of the day to stay perfect in his debut Davis Cup campaign.
"It's been unbelievable this whole week. It's special to be part of this team," said Nakashima. "To represent the country has always been a dream of mine since I started playing tennis, so I'm super happy that I was able to get three wins on the board for the team."
Reilly Opelka of the USA competes against Henri Squire of Germany in a Davis Cup Finals Group C match in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, September 14, 2024. /CFP
World No. 309 Reilly Opelka, back in action this season after recovering from hip and wrist surgeries, saved three match points and cranked up his big serve when it mattered to outlast debutant Henri Squire 6(4)-7, 7(11)-6(9), 6-3 earlier.
Tim Puetz and Kevin Krawietz overcame Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek 6-1, 7-6(4) in the doubles clash later, but USA captain Bob Bryan was satisfied with a splendid week that highlighted the team's singles depth.
"We've got a lot of great players in the US right now, you can see it in the rankings. A lot of guys to choose from for the Finals," Bryan said. "Hats off to these guys for coming here and carrying us to Malaga. We've got a couple of months to relax and get ready, but it's going to be fun over there. We're looking forward to it."
The top two teams from four groups based in different cities will advance to the Final 8 knockout stage to be held in Malaga, Spain, in November.
Thiago Monteiro of Brazil competes against Zizou Bergs of Belgium in a Davis Cup Finals Group A match in Bologna, Italy, September 14, 2024. /CFP
Heavyweights Spain and Australia had also qualified after Friday's action, along with the USA and Germany.
Those four sides were joined by defending champions Italy, who advanced after Brazil took a 2-0 lead against Belgium in Bologna, Italy, with Joao Fonseca beating Raphael Collignon 6-3, 6(2)-7, 6-3 before Thiago Monteiro edged out Zizou Bergs 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-5.
Belgium kept alive their own hopes of going through from Group A as Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen closed out the tie with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win over Rafael Matos and Felipe Meligeni Alves.
Argentina earned their first appearance in the quarterfinals since 2019 with a 3-0 win over Finland in Group D in Manchester, England, after Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni moved past Harri Heliovaara and Patrick Kaukovalta 6(3)-7, 6-4, 6-3.
Tomas Martin Etcheverry earlier beat Eero Vasa 7-6(5), 6-3 and Francisco Cerundolo saw off Otto Virtanen 6(4)-7, 6-1, 6-0.
France beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Group B although neither team have a chance to progress after both losing their first two contests in Valencia, Spain.