Tennis - Davis Cup - Group C - United States v Slovakia - Hengqin International Tennis Center, Zhuhai, China - September 13, 2024 Brandon Nakashima of the U.S. celebrates winning his match against Slovakia's Jozef Kovalik REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
(Reuters) - The United States sealed their spot in the Davis Cup Final 8 knockout stage with one match still to play as they beat Slovakia in their second Group C match in Zuhai on Friday.
Mackenzie McDonald beat Lukas Klein 6-4 6-3 in the day's opening singles before Brandon Nakashima beat Jozef Kovalik also in straight sets to give the Americans an unassailable 2-0 lead.
It was the second group win for Bob Bryan's team who are missing a host of top singles players including U.S. Open runner-up Taylor Fritz. They also beat Chile 3-0.
Victory for the U.S. also meant Germany qualified for the Final 8 which will be held in Malaga in November.
Germany and the U.S. play in the final group game on Saturday with top spot at stake.
Sixteen nations have been in action in the Group Stage Finals, taking place across four cities, with the top two teams from each of the four groups moving on to Malaga.
Later on Friday, reigning champions Italy seek their second Group A win as they take on Belgium in Bologna while Britain face Argentina in Group D in Manchester looking for the win that would send them through.
In the day's other tie, Spain play France in Group B in Valencia where a win would take them through to the Final 8.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Davis)
