Paris: Sebastian Korda and Davis Cup debutant Chris Eubanks won singles matches on Thursday, helping the United States take a 2-0 lead against Ukraine in their qualifier in Lithuania.
Korda, the world number 33, defeated Oleksii Krutykh, a player rated 309 places lower than the American, 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, in the first rubber.
Eubanks replaced the injured Taylor Fritz and defeated 498th-ranked Viacheslav Bielinskyi 6-3, 6-2, putting the record 32-time winner in contention for the September finals, which will feature 16 teams.
“All day since I found out I was playing I was really nervous,” Eubanks remarked.
“Representing your country entails a lot more than simply playing for yourself. I didn’t want to let down so many guys. My nerves were fairly intense at first, but after I went on the court, I settled down and played pretty well.”
Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram can win the tie in Saturday’s doubles, which comes before the reverse singles.
The US has not won the title since 2007.
Defending champions Italy and last year’s runners-up Australia, as well as Britain and Spain, have gone to the finals automatically.
Serbia will be without Novak Djokovic as they try to secure one of the remaining 12 qualifying berths against Slovakia.
Alexander Zverev is out of the Germany team for their match against Hungary due to illness.
