USA Holds Off Uzbekistan at Davis Cup, Advances to World Group
Making his Davis Cup debut this weekend, American Jack Sock sent the United States into the World Group next year, defeating Denis Istomin in four sets on Sunday to clinch the 3-1 victory for the United States over Uzbekistan.
After Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey won the doubles match on Saturday, the United States needed to win just one of the two singles matches on Sunday to defeat Uzbekistan in the best-of-five series.
Sock took care of business in his match on Sunday, beating Istomin, Uzbekistan’s top-ranked player, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, to seal the victory for the Americans.
“Closing out a tie is never easy, even for a veteran. For Jack to come through in his debut was very impressive,” said U.S. Captain Jim Courier. “One of the challenges here was bringing a team with very little experience, but one of the great things as we come out of this tie is now these guys have had a taste of Davis Cup.”
The fifth and final match, between Steve Johnson and Farrukh Dustov, was not played because the United States had already clinched the win.
This weekend was big for Sock’s confidence going forward. The 29th ranked American won both of his matches for the United States, his first action since pulling out of the U.S. Open.
“To get two wins and play solid matches for me gives me a lot of confidence, especially after New York and having to pull out and retire there,” said Sock. “It was a low point and that was my favorite tournament of the year. It’s tough to go out that way. This will give me a lot of confidence for the rest of the year.”
The United States qualifies for the 2016 Davis Cup World Group and is eligible to compete for the Davis Cup title next year. Uzbekistan will compete in its respective Zone Group I competition in 2016.
