U.S. Launches Strong Davis Cup Campaign Despite Absences

The United States began their Davis Cup Finals group stage with a convincing victory over Chile, despite missing several top players. Reilly Opelka and Brandon Nakashima secured singles wins, while Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek sealed the doubles match. Defending champions Italy made a positive start in their Group A game against Brazil.

The United States made light of the absence of several top singles players as they began their Davis Cup Finals group stage campaign with victory over Chile on Wednesday.

Reilly Opelka and Brandon Nakashima both came through lengthy three-set battles to give their team a winning lead in the Group C opener in Zhuhai, China. Olympic doubles silver-medallists Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek then beat Matias Soto and Tomas Barrios Vera to wrap up a 3-0 victory and join Germany at the top of the table.

Defending champions Italy were without world number one and newly-crowned U.S. Open champion Jannik Sinner but made a positive start as they took a winning lead against Brazil in their opening Group A tie in Bologna. Spain boasted Carlos Alcaraz in their ranks but the world number three was given a scare against Czech Republic's Tomas Machac, losing the first set tiebreak before winning the second set 6-1 at which point Machac was forced to retire to hand Spain an unassailable 2-0 lead in Group B in Valencia. Roberto Bautista-Agut had earlier beaten Jiri Lehecka 7-6(1) 6-4.

(With inputs from agencies.)