Australia edge out US to reach Davis Cup semi-finals

THOMAS COEX/ AFP

Australia booked their place in the Davis Cup semi-finals as doubles pair Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson clinched the deciding rubber against the United States on Thursday.

Olympic champion Ebden and Thompson beat Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton 6-4 6-4 to put Lleyton Hewitt's side into their third successive semi-final of the men's team event.

The US were slight favourites going into a battle between the two most successful nations in the competition's history, but Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis beat Shelton 6-1 4-6 7-6(14) in the opening singles after saving four match points.

World number four Taylor Fritz then levelled it up with a 6-3 6-4 defeat of Alex de Minaur to send the tie to the doubles.

Ebden and Thompson's greater doubles experience then proved decisive as they completed the victory.

Australia will find out their opponents later on Thursday when reigning champions Italy take on Argentina.

More from Sports

  • Kolkata's Eden Gardens to host IPL 2025 final

    Kolkata's Eden Gardens will host the Indian Premier League (IPL) final on May 25 as well as the opening game between the defending champion Kolkata Knight Riders and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, India's cricket board said on Sunday.

  • Niemann overhauls Ancer to win LIV Golf Adelaide title

    Joaquin Niemann hit a stunning seven-under par final round of 65 to claim the LIV Golf Adelaide title on Sunday, finishing on 13-under par to win by three shots as Sergio Garcia's Fireballs quartet claimed victory in the team event.

  • Al Salam Cycling Championship’s Women’s Race set for Sunday

    Under the directives and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Women’s Race, the fourth stage of the ninth Al Salam Cycling Championship, is taking place on Sunday.

  • Marmoush hat-trick fires Man City to Newcastle victory

    Champions Manchester City's title hopes may have long since vanished but they looked much more recognisable as recent signing Omar Marmoush bagged a hat-trick in 13 first-half minutes in a 4-0 rout of Newcastle United.

  • Sinner accepts three-month doping ban

    Tennis world number one Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month ban for doping having tested positive for a banned substance last year following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), it said on Saturday.