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.

Kokkinakis produced a stunning win over Ben Shelton in the quarter-final after saving four match points, and has won his last four matches at Davis Cup level. Hewitt continues to back Kokkinakis and show loyalty in the World No.77, despite the 28-year-old being ranked more than 50 places below both Popyrin and Thompson.