Brandon Nakashima’s great week helps USA top Davis Cup group in Zhuhai | ATP Tour
Davis Cup group stage
Nakashima’s good week helps Team USA top Zhuhai
The 32-time champion will play in the Davis Cup in November
September 14, 2024
Getty Images of the ITF
Brandon Nakashima of the USA defeated Maximilian Marterer of Germany on Saturday in Zhuhai.
By ATP staff
Brandon Nakashima continued his 2024 comeback in style on Saturday in Zhuhai.
The 23-year-old capped a fine week in singles play for the USA at the Davis Cup Finals Group Stage with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Maximilian Marterer. With his 86th-minute winner, Nakashima helped his country to a 2-1 win against Marterer’s Germany, while also ensuring the USA finished first in Group C and a seed in the knockout stages in November.
Work done ✅
The United States beat Germany 2-1 to top Group C in spectacular fashion!#DavisCup pic.twitter.com/3kk4na2cOk
– Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 14, 2024
“Every single person on this team brings a lot of value,” said Nakashima, who dropped just one set in his three wins this week. off the pitch and I’m really pleased with everyone’s work this week and to all the staff and all the players, I’m very grateful for their hard work.
“I think we have a good chance against any team there [in Malaga]. There are plenty of talented Americans playing very well right now. Whoever is on the team will give us a good chance against any other team out there, so it’s an exciting time for American tennis and I’m looking forward to it.”
After a difficult 2023, the 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion Nakashima started this year as World No. 134. However, he has regained his form in recent months, and was competing against the USA this week in the top-ranked No. .40 in PIF ATP rankings.
Reilly Opelka put the USA on its way on Saturday in China with a 6-7(4), 7-6(9), 6-3 victory over Henri Squire in the opening rubber alone. The 32-time Davis Cup champion was unable to complete a hat-trick in a 3-0 Group C victory, however, after Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz defeated Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram 6-1, 7-6 (4) in the second rubber. twice.
“We knew we were going to go to the next stage in Malaga, but we took advantage [the chance to achieve] better seed as our motivation to try to win today,” said Opelka.
Despite Saturday’s loss, Germany will join the USA in the Davis Cup Final 8 thanks to wins over Slovakia and Chile earlier this week. The knockout phase of the 2024 edition of the team event will be held in Malaga, Spain from 19-24 November.
