Australia Upsets US in Davis Cup Quarter-finals

Thanasi Kokkinakis secured a thrilling victory for Australia in the Davis Cup quarterfinals against the United States, saving four match points to win 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (16-14) against Ben Shelton. This gripping match, which lasted over two hours, was notable for its long tiebreak, marking it as one of the most exciting in Davis Cup history. Following Kokkinakis' win, Taylor Fritz leveled the tie by defeating Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4, leading to a decisive doubles match where Australia's Matt Ebden and Jordan Thompson triumphed over Shelton and Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-4. Captain Lleyton Hewitt's unconventional strategy of choosing Kokkinakis paid off, as he led Australia to a semi-final match against either Italy or Argentina. Kokkinakis expressed his exhilaration, stating, 'I don’t know if I’ve been that pumped up in my life. I wanted that for my team.' This victory marks Australia’s chance to lift the Davis Cup for the first time in 21 years.