Although it was a heavyweight match-up for a qualifying spherical, yesterday still marked a vastly disappointing defeat for the US Davis Cup group at the palms of Czechia.
After all, while both groups boasted some of the world’s best singles and doubles gamers, there still would have been justifiable confidence coming from Bob Bryan that his group could get it carried out.
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Especially given that Ben Shelton rushed from the US Open last to Prague to compete for his nation.
In the finish, his efforts were in useless, and they lost the tie despite main 2-1 at one stage.
Both Ben Shelton and Bryan have reacted, offering contrasting reactions to the loss.
US Davis Cup group react after shedding to Czechia and failing to qualify for the finals
The US Davis Cup captain spoke first, and he provided a prolonged rationalization for why he felt his group lost.
However, he remained upbeat despite the defeat, admitting: “Yeah, we’re obviously disappointed with the result, but super proud of the guys. It was a fun atmosphere. That kind of felt like what Davis Cup should be all about, is atmosphere like that. Loud, but fair.”
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Bryan heralded his doubles group for successful ‘one of the best Davis Cup doubles matches I’ve seen in current years’, and praised Jakub Mensik and Jiri Lehecka for the ranges they confirmed.
Then, on Shelton, he sympathised: “Monumental effort by Ben to even show up here in Prague after all the tennis he played in New York. But he didn’t make any excuses, and he prepared the best he could.
“Look, it’s 48 hours … He’s never gonna inform you, but 48 hours to change from outside to indoors, from this ball to that ball is not simple. And he actually did a great job, so I was tremendous proud of him.”
Bryan concluded with what seemed like a veiled dig at the competition, adding: “I think their group and our group are two of the best 4 groups in the entire world, and we should not be
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taking part in in the Round of 16. I think everyone here knows that, by the energy of our nations. Even Tomas Machac, he wasn’t here, and he’s a terrific participant as effectively.
“So maybe they can get the seedings right next year and we can play in Bologna, where this match belongs.”
Shelton’s stint in the press was transient; he was merely requested whether it was worse to lose this tie or the US Open males’s last.
He replied: “I don’t know, dude.”
Shelton lost both his Davis Cup singles matches this week.
When was the last time the US won the Davis Cup?
Despite all their high quality and unbelievable depth, the likes of which few other nations can compete with, it has been some time since the US tasted Davis Cup success.
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Right now, there are three American males in the ATP high ten, and a complete of six inside the high 20. They should be making it to the last eight at least.
To discover when they last won the total occasion, you have to go back to almost 20 years in the past, in 2007.
There, the group consisted of Andy Roddick, James Blake, and Bob and Mike Bryan. They beat Russia in the last by a 4-1 scoreline.
The US stay the most profitable group in Davis Cup historical past, having won their first title in 1900, and has claimed 32 in complete.
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