US beats Slovakia to join Germany, Spain and Australia in Davis Cup Finals last eight

By The Associated Press

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Mackenzie McDonald, of the United States plays against Lukas Klein, of Slovakia during the men's singles of the group C match between the United States and Slovakia in the Davis Cup Finals tennis tournament in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (Li Jianyi/Xinhua via AP)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Li Jianyi]

ZHUHAI, China (AP) — The United States secured its place in the last eight of the Davis Cup Finals by winning both its singles matches against Slovakia to also send unbeaten Germany through from the same group. Mackenzie McDonald won 6-4, 6-3 win against Lukas Klein and Davis Cup debutant Brandon Nakashima beat Jozef Kovalik 6-3, 6-3 on an indoor hard court in Zhuhai, China. Spain joined them in the quarterfinals as four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz beat Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-3, 6-3 after veteran Roberto Bautista Agut rallied to win 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 against Arthur Fils. Spain’s victory also put Australia through from Group B. Italy kept its defense alive by beating Belgium 2-1 indoors in Bologna. Britain missed the chance to qualify after losing 2-1 to Argentina in Group D.