(London) Australian Open semi-finalist Tommy Paul and fellow countryman Mackenzie McDonald, who beat Rafael Nadal at the same tournament, gave the United States a 2-0 lead against Uzbekistan in Cup qualifying Davis, Friday.
Paul prevailed over Khumoyun Sultanov 6-1, 7-6(6) after McDonald won 6-4, 6-1 over Sergey Fomin in his Davis Cup debut, on indoor hard court in Tashkent.
The three-of-five matchup will end on Saturday with one doubles match and two singles matches. USA can advance to the group stage if Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek beat Fomin and Sanjar Fayziev in doubles.
“A sweep would be nice,” Paul said. Take out the brooms. »
Thanks to his semi-final in Australia, Paul ranked in the top 20 in the ATP World Rankings. The American lost to tournament champion Novak Djokovic.
McDonald knocked out 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal in the second round.
David Nainkin replaces Mardy Fish and acts as acting captain for the United States.
There are 12 qualifying duels this weekend. The winners of each clash advance to the group stage in September with 2022 champions Canada, last year’s runners-up Australia and two bye teams Italy and Spain.
Switzerland and Germany are tied after each winning a match.
In Trier, Germany, on an indoor hard court, three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, who helped his country win the Davis Cup in 2014, was back at the tournament for the first time since 2015.
His comeback, however, was spoiled by Alexander Zverev, who won 6-4, 6-1. Marc-Andrea Huesler then defeated Oscar Otte 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 to level the duel after a day of action.