The U.S. men’s wheelchair tennis team defeated Chili, 2-0, in the championship match at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup Americas Qualification event Friday to secure its spot in the final of the BNP Paribas World Team Cup, the wheelchair tennis equivalent of Davis Cup and Fed Cup. 

 

Members of Team USA included Wichita State freshman Casey Ratzlaff, University of Florida sophomore Chris Herman and Todd Hanover of Southern California. 

 

Held on the home turf of the USTA National Campus at Lake Nona in Orlando, Fla., the American team managed to reverse the result of its round-robin tie earlier in the week. 

 

World No. 51 Herman defeated Chilean Francisco Cayulef, 6-4, 6-4, and 19-year-old Ratzlaff emerged the victor over Alexander Cataldo in a tight three-set championship battle, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4, earning Team USA’s second win and overall victory.

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The men’s team will be returning to the premier event for the first time since 2016 and will be joining the women's, quad and junior teams for the final in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, which will be held May 28-June 3. 

 

"I couldn't be prouder of Casey Ratzlaff, Chris Herman and Todd Hanover for the way they represented themselves, their families and Team USA,” said USTA National Wheelchair Manager and Team USA Head Coach Jason Harnett.

 

“Having the men's team represent the USTA and the U.S. at the official World Team Cup in the Netherlands come May, alongside the women's, quad and junior teams, just feels right, and this young group of men are hungry for more. So very proud."