ZHUHAI, China (AP) — The United States opened the Davis Cup group stage in Zhuhai, China, on Wednesday with three straight wins in decisive tiebreaks and a 3-0 victory over Chile.

Brandon Nakashima defeated Alejandro Tabilo 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-6 (3) after Reilly Opelka defeated Cristian Garin 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (3) to give the Americans an unassailable 2-0 lead.

These two singles matches lasted over five hours and the Americans brought Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram for the doubles, which they won 4:6, 6:4, 7:6 (3) against Tomas Barrios Vera and Matias Soto.

Four teams will play in four cities this week to qualify for the knockout round of the Final 8, which will take place in Malaga, Spain in November. The best two countries in each group of four will advance.

The United States, which leads the world with 32 Davis Cup titles (the last was in 2007), is looking to reach the quarterfinals for the second time since the Davis Cup finals were introduced in 2019. In this year’s qualifying round, the Americans defeated Ukraine 4-0 on neutral ground in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Later on Wednesday, hosts Italy – the defending champions – were due to play Brazil in Group A in Bologna, Spain were due to play the Czech Republic in Group B in Valencia and Great Britain were due to face Finland in Group D in Manchester.

In the opening match on Tuesday, Belgium beat the Netherlands 2-1, Australia beat France 2-1, Germany – which played without second-seeded Alexander Zverev – beat Slovakia 3-0 and Canada beat Argentina 2-1.

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