Australia set up a Davis Cup semi-final clash with defending champions Italy as doubles pair Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson sealed victory against the United States on Thursday.
Olympic champion Ebden and Thompson beat surprise pairing Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton 6-4 6-4 to put Lleyton Hewitt's side into their third successive semi-final of the men's team event.
They will now have the opportunity to avenge last year's final defeat by Italy after world number one Jannik Sinner inspired the holders to a 2-1 victory over Argentina.
The U.S. were slight favourites going into a battle between the two most successful nations in the competition's history, but Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis beat debutant Shelton 6-1 4-6 7-6(14) in the opening singles after saving four match points.
World number four Taylor Fritz then levelled it up with a 6-3 6-4 defeat of Alex de Minaur to send the tie to the doubles.
American captain Bob Bryan sprung a surprise as he opted against sending out Olympic runners-up Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek and instead gambled on Shelton and Paul to try and get the 32-times champions to their first semi-final since 2018.
But his plan backfired as Ebden and U.S. Open winner Thompson's greater doubles craft proved decisive.
"As a captain you have to make tough decisions. This wasn't a black-and-white decision. It was razor-thin edge and we went with it," Bryan said.
After Italy's women claimed the Billie Jean King Cup title in Malaga on Wednesday, the country's men will now be favourites to make it a momentous double for the nation.
Davis Cup 2024 dates and venue
The Davis Cup Finals began on Tuesday November 19, 2024 and run through to the final on Sunday, November 24.
Malaga is hosting the action, with all matches being played on indoor hard-courts at the Martin Carpena Arena.
How to watch the Davis Cup 2024
TV channel and live stream: The Davis Cup Finals will be shown live on the Tennis Channel, which costs £2.49 a month in the UK after a seven-day free trial.
The final on Sunday will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Red Button.
Davis Cup 2024 schedule
Semi-finals
(All times GMT)
Friday November 22
Netherlands vs Germany, 4pm
Saturday November 23
Australia vs Italy, 12pm
Final
Sunday November 24
TBC
Davis Cup 2024 teams
Netherlands: Tallon Griekspoor, Botic van de Zandschulp, Jesper de Jong, Wesley Koolhof
Germany: Jan-Lennard Struff, Daniel Altmaier, Yannick Hanfmann, Kevin Krawietz, Tim Putz
Australia: Alexei Popyrin, Jordan Thompson, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Max Purcell, Matthew Ebden
Italy: Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti, Matteo Berrettini, Simone Bolelli, Andrea Vavassori
Davis Cup 2024 format
Unlike the best-of-five ties in the groups, it is best-of-three at the Davis Cup Finals.
The two singles matches will be played first, with a doubles match then deciding the tie if necessary. All matches are best-of-three sets.
Davis Cup 2024 odds
Italy 8/13
Australia 4/1
Germany 11/2
Netherlands 11/2
Odds via Betfair. Subject to change.
