Pro Media & News

U.S. goes unbeaten on first day of 2022 BNP Paribas World Team Cup

Victoria Chiesa | May 02, 2022

Team USA had a perfect start to the 2022 BNP Paribas World Team Cup, with its men’s, quad and junior teams all opening up round-robin play at the ‘World Cup of wheelchair tennis’ with victories on Monday in Portugal.

 

All three teams notched 2-1 overall wins in their respective groups. The U.S. men were first to win on the day at the Vilamoura Tennis Academy, sealing an overall victory against Israel on the strength of singles wins by Conner Stroud and Casey Ratzlaff, while the quad and junior teams each secured their ties in a third and deciding deciding doubles match.

 

Notably, Team USA’s junior squad scored the first win for the U.S. in the division since 2017 by beating Brazil. Charlie Cooper and Maylee Phelps led the group to the milestone by partnering to a 6-4, 6-4 win over Vitoria Miranda and Jade Lanai to seal the tie; Cooper put two points on the board by winning also his singles match against Lorenzo De Godoy, 6-3, 6-1.

Both Cooper, 14, and Phelps, 15, were members of the first U.S. junior team to compete at the event in four years last fall, where they finished in eighth place and were unable to earn a match win.

 

Supported by their teammates, peers and others on Monday, they couldn’t have asked for a better beginning to their second year wearing the red, white and blue.

 

“We’re much improved, the whole team, and with two new players. It was fun to win my first match in World Team Cup,” Cooper said. “There were a lot of fans and other players watching. I like to hear the cheering; it makes me more engaged and pumped up. It was a good experience with a good atmosphere.”

The U.S. team attended the World Team Cup opening dinner on Sunday.

After youth was served, the day concluded with a thrilling comeback by the veterans of the U.S. quad team against Israel. Bryan Barten and David Wagner teamed for a 6-2, 7-5 victory against Yosi Sadon and Shraga Weinberg to seal victory after the players split three-set singles matches. After Barten lost the opening rubber, Wagner triumphed against fellow former world No. 1 Weinberg in a marathon to keep the Americans in contention. The U.S. and Israel have combined to win 13 World Team Cup titles in the quad division in event history.

 

All four American teams will be in action on Day 2, as the U.S. women’s team begins its tournament Tuesday in Group C round-robin action against Thailand. The men, quads and juniors will all look to move to 2-0 when they take on South Korea, Brazil and Great Britain, respectively.

 

Full Results — Day 1

Men’s Group C: USA def. Israel, 2-1

Conner Stroud (USA) def. Sergei Lysov (ISR) 7-6(4), 7-5

Casey Ratzlaff (USA) def. Adam Berdichevsky (ISR) 6-1, 6-3

Adam Berdichevsky/Guy Sasson (ISR) def. Chris Herman/Casey Ratzlaff (USA) 6-3, 6-3

 

Quad Group B: USA def. Israel, 2-1

Yosi Sadon (ISR) def. Bryan Barten (USA) 6-2, 5-7, 6-1

David Wagner (USA) def. Shraga Weinberg (ISR) 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-5 

Bryan Barten/David Wagner (USA) def. Yosi Sadon/Shraga Weinberg (ISR) 6-2, 7-5

 

Juniors Group A: USA def. Brazil, 2-1

Charlie Cooper (USA) def. Lorenzo De Godoy (BRA) 6-3, 6-1

Jade Lanai (BRA) def. Maylee Phelps (USA) 6-1, 6-2

Charlie Cooper/Maylee Phelps (USA) def. Vitoria Miranda/Jade Lanai (BRA) 6-4, 6-4

 

More from the 2022 BNP Paribas World Team Cup

Groups made and draws set in Portugal

Maylee Phelps: On the rise and ready for more

Huayi 'Eric' Court ready to learn from the best in World Team Cup debut

Seedings announced for 2022 BNP Paribas World Team Cup

U.S. teams named for 2022 BNP Paribas World Team Cup

 

The 2022 BNP Paribas World Team Cup, the wheelchair tennis counterpart to the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup, will be played in Vilamoura, Portugal from May 2-8. For more information, including access to historical records and to follow the event, visit the USTA's BNP Paribas World Team Cup homepage or the 2022 ITF World Team Cup site.

Skip Advertisement

Advertisement

Related Articles

  • Women take WTC bronze
    May 07, 2022
    With a sweep of Colombia, the U.S. women nabbed a bronze medal for the second straight year at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup. Read More
  • Quads place fourth at WTC
    May 06, 2022
    The U.S. quad team was beaten by Brazil for the second time this week in Friday's third-place match in Vilamoura. Read More
  • Men, women into WTC semis
    May 05, 2022
    The U.S. women earned their second 3-0 sweep in as many ties to finish atop Group C and advance to the semifinals at the 2022 BNP Paribas World Team Cup. Read More