Historic First Day for Bob Bryan and Team USA

It was a day of many "firsts" for Bob Bryan and Team USA as they defeated Croatia 2-1 in the 2023 Davis Cup. In his first match as Captain, Bob Bryan achieved what no other captain had been able to achieve before by defeating Croatia. Prior to today's win, Team USA was 0-5 against Croatia. What made the victory especially "sweet" was that the match was in Croatia.

In the first of the best-of- three-match tie, Mackenize McDonald (USA) defeated Dino Prizmic 6-4, 6-2 to give Team USA a 1-0 lead, before Croatia tied the match 1-1 in the second match as Frances Tiafoe (USA) fell 4-6, 6-7 (8-6) to Borna Gojo.

With doubles now the deciding factor, Bob Bryan paired American doubles stars, Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram and navigated the team through two "nail-biter" sets. Raising their level in the third, Krajicek and Ram ultimately clinched the match and silenced the Crotian crowd with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (3-7), 6-3 win over Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic).

A victory that will surely go down in history, Bob Bryan and Team USA look to keep their momentum going as they face the Netherlands on Thursday.