2023 Davis Cup Qualifier: McDonald, Paul lead U.S. to 2-0 advantage in Tashkent

Paul quickly regrouped, though, and won 16 of the 23 points played in the next four games to level the set. Neither side budged until the set's late stages, and Paul found himself down 6-4 in the tiebreak after his Uzbek foe won three points in a row. He erased the two set points thanks to a big serve and a dipping passing shot that Sultanov couldn't handle on his backhand volley, and ultimately, won the last four points of the match. 

Paul improved his career record in Davis Cup singles matches to 6-1, and his win was somewhat of a full-circle moment. His first-ever Davis Cup victory came in a dead rubber against Uzbekistan over the Uzbeks' playing captain for this tie, Denis Istomin, in 2020. 

"The first set, [I felt] pretty mellow. I felt pretty comfortable," Paul said. "The conditions are a little different to get used to, but I was happy with how I came out. In the second set, he picked up his level a ton, and I felt like I wasn't prepared for it. 

"I think the team helped me out, and the energy I brought in the second set to come back there was a lot better. Just pumping myself up, and looking a little bit more up for the challenge. I felt if I just stayed there every point and bring more energy, I could get myself back into the second set." 

The U.S.'s Top 10-doubles pair of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram will have the opportunity to clinch victory for the U.S. Saturday when they face Fomin and Sanjar Fayziev in the day's first rubber. The reverse singles is scheduled to follow, with Paul facing Fomin and McDonald facing Sultanov. Nominations are subject to change. 

"Mackie played really well. Number one, he was healthy and held up pretty well," interim U.S. captain David Nainkin said. "It was a tough battle out there. The court surface is fast and I thought he played really well, served really well, and got the win. 

"Tommy played a great first set, pretty much was one-way traffic, and then Sultanov came out and played really well. ... Tommy dug in with a great mental effort to break back, and then it was a dogfight. It was a really good effort to win that second set. 

"I'm looking forward to the doubles. Raj and Austin are good friends. They've played together before and they're familiar with each other. We always look forward to them as a combination. They're both Top 10 in the world and it'll be great to see them try to clinch the win."