"The idea was to surprise them": Bob Bryan defends decision to pick Shelton and Paul for Davis Cup doubles
ATP
USA Davis
Cup captain Bob Bryan explained his controversial last-minute decision to
change the doubles lineup, which ultimately led to the team's elimination in
the tournament’s quarterfinals. The former World No. 1 in doubles chose to
field Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton instead of established specialists Rajeev Ram
and Austin Krajicek.
The USA
team had a proven pair ready for the deciding match in Ram (doubles world No. 30) and Krajicek (World No. 43). Both players previously held the World
No. 1 ranking and are Grand Slam champions, not to mention their silver medal
performance as a team at the Olympic Games just months ago.
Bryan’s shock lineup switch sees USA eliminated in Davis Cup quarters
Entering
the Davis Cup as one of the favourites for the title, the USA boasted a
formidable roster: Taylor Fritz (World No. 4) as their singles leader,
supported by Paul (World No. 12) and Shelton (World No. 21) as additional
singles options, with Ram and Krajicek as the specialised doubles pair.
Read also
The
quarterfinal clash began with a surprising upset, as Thanasi Kokkinakis (World
No. 77) edged out Shelton 6-1, 4-6, 7-6[16-14] in an epic match that saw
Kokkinakis save four match points. Fritz, however, kept the USA alive with a
convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory over Alex de Minaur (World No. 9), setting the
stage for the doubles decider.
Despite the
logical choice of fielding Ram and Krajicek, Bryan opted for the unusual
pairing of Shelton (Double world no. 103) and Paul (unranked in doubles).
The gamble failed, as Australia’s Jordan Thompson (Doubles world no. 3 in doubles) and
Matthew Ebden (Doubles world no. 13) secured a straightforward 6-4, 6-4 win
to eliminate the Americans.
"We
had great options for doubles, but I opted for the firepower of the singles
players to surprise them," USA captain Bob Bryan said after the defeat.
"It was a matchup decision. I decided in the 15 minutes between the
singles and doubles match. The idea was to surprise them."
Australia
advanced to the semifinals, where they await the winner of the tie between
Italy, led by Jannik Sinner, and Argentina, spearheaded by Sebastián Báez. The
Australians could face the defending champions in a rematch of the 2023 final,
provided Sinner and his team overcome their South American rivals.
It’ll be Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton for 🇺🇸 in the doubles match! pic.twitter.com/IzFbveQ6BJ
— USTA (@usta) November 21, 2024
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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