The defeat means the USA, 32-time Davis Cup champions, have not reached the semifinals since 2018 nor won the event since 2007. With an American team missing Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro exiting the Billie Jean King Cup finals at the first hurdle last week, Team USA leaves Malaga with a record of 0-2.

Ahead of the decisive rubber, USA captain Bob Bryan suddenly swapped out two champion doubles players for singles players Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul. And the decision backfired, as they were beaten by doubles specialists Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson.

Australia await reigning champions Italy or Argentina in the Davis Cup semi-finals after defeating the USA in a doubles decider.