USA Triumphs in Davis Cup Opener Despite Absences

The United States started their Davis Cup Finals group stage with a victory over Chile, even without several top singles players. Reilly Opelka, Brandon Nakashima, Rajeev Ram, and Austin Krajicek all secured crucial wins to lead the team. The U.S. aims for a last-eight spot in the tournament.

The United States made a strong start to their Davis Cup Finals group stage, defying the absence of key singles players to secure a win over Chile. Reilly Opelka and Brandon Nakashima both endured grueling three-set matches to give their team an early lead in the Group C opener held in Zhuhai, China.

Olympic doubles silver-medalists Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek completed the job by defeating Matias Soto and Tomas Barrios Vera, clinching a 3-0 clean sweep and placing the U.S. at the top of the table alongside Germany. Despite missing top names like U.S. Open runner-up Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Tommy Paul, Captain Bob Bryan's squad demonstrated impressive depth.

Opelka, ranked 309th globally, triumphed over the 116th-ranked Cristian Garin 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(3), while Nakashima, world number 40, narrowly defeated Alejandro Tabilo 7-6(5), 2-6, 7-6(3). Ram and Krajicek's three-set doubles victory bolstered the 32-time Davis Cup champions' perfect start, as they aim to reach the tournament's final stage for the second time since the new format was introduced in 2019.