US Grabs 2–0 Lead in Davis Cup at Uzbekistan

Mackenzie McDonald of the United States plays a backhand during the third round singles match against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan during day five of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 20, 2023. Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The United States moved to the brink of advancing out of its Davis Cup qualifying series by winning both singles matches against host Uzbekistan on Friday in Tashkent.

Mackenzie McDonald beat Sergey Fomin 6–4, 6–1 before Tommy Paul, fresh off reaching the Australian Open semifinals, defeated Khumoyun Sultanov 6–1, 7–6 (6).