“Bring out the broomsticks,” the USA’s Tommy Paul stated on Friday following his first-day singles win within the United States Davis Cup Qualifier in opposition to Uzbekistan. “A sweep would be nice”.

And a sweep it was, as Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram’s doubles win in opposition to Uzbekistan made it three from three for the USA earlier than Denis Kudla beat Amir Milushev within the fourth rubber of the tie to finish a 4-0 victory.

Captain David Nainkin’s males have now secured a spot within the 2023 Davis Cup Finals Group Stage, because the nation bids for a thirty third title within the competitors.

Krajicek and Ram had been by no means in any actual hazard in opposition to Uzbekistan’s Sanjar Fayziev and Sergey Fomin. The American pair sped to a 6-2, 6-4 victory in simply 52 minutes in a scientific show on the Olympic Tennis School, Tashkent.

“I was excited to see Raj and Austin play today,” Nainkin stated. “They’ve practised well all week, they had five great days of preparation and as anticipated they came out really sharp and got the early break in the first set. After that it was like two freight trains, there was no stopping them.”

Ram nonetheless had constructive phrases for his or her Uzbek opponents.

“Rankings-wise they’re the underdogs, they’re not the favourites in this match,” he stated. “But even in the singles they tried their best and they really fought until the end and that’s a pretty good quality to have. It helps you even maybe win some matches you’re not supposed to win.”

In the fourth rubber of the tie, two Davis Cup debutants went face to face as USA’s Kudla beat Milushev 6-4, 6-4.

Belgium are two steps nearer to becoming a member of the USA in September’s Group Stage following spectacular performances from Zizou Bergs and David Goffin on the opening day of their Qualifier in opposition to South Korea.

Belgian No.2 Bergs took on South Korean frontman Soonwoo Kwon on the Olympic Tennis Court in Seoul, sealing a 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(6) victory in opposition to the World No.61 in entrance of an enthusiastic crowd.

Kwon wasted no time in claiming the primary set 6-1 in opposition to Bergs. The Korean had gained seven of his earlier 9 Davis Cup matches and claimed the Adelaide International 2 title simply weeks in the past. But the response from world No.115 Bergs was to “look in the mirror” throughout the break, and “play with more engagement, more confidence and… try to change step by step. And that’s exactly what happened.”

With the second set underneath his belt, Bergs went toe to toe with Kwon within the third, saving two match factors within the tiebreak earlier than securing victory for simply his second Davis Cup match win in six makes an attempt.

“As a participant I’m actually expressive, I like feelings… a number of spectators make a number of noise by your matches and that will get me actually pumped up,” he stated.

In the second singles, Belgium’s David Goffin, veteran of 21 Davis Cup ties, took on Seong-chan Hong in a bid to make it a clear sweep on the primary day. The World No.41 Goffin took simply 77 minutes to seal a 6-4, 6-2 win.

“I’m happy because after the good win of Zizou against Kwon, it was very important to confirm it and to be at 2-0 after the first day,” said Goffin. “But the job is not done yet.”

Play in Seoul resumes on Sunday, when the doubles rubber begins at 11:00 native time (02:00 GMT).

This story options contributions from DavisCup.com