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Nick Kyrgios fought off Sam Querrey in the clinching match as Australia defeated the United States 3-2 on Sunday in Brisbane, Australia, to advance to the Davis Cup semifinals. Kyrgios recorded a 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-4 victory over Querrey to give the Aussies a 3-1 lead. American John Isner later defeated Sam Groth 7-6 (5), 6-3 in a meaningless match.
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Australia will face Belgium in September's semis.
"I couldn't be prouder of my boys," Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt said afterward. "They've put so much hard work and effort into this campaign. They did absolutely everything we asked of them. The coaching staff too, so many sacrifices made. That's what representing Australia is all about."
Kyrgios was on his game in the deciding match while dispatching Querrey, who was a late replacement for Jack Sock.
Winning the first set tiebreaker gave Kyrgios a dose of momentum and it helped carry him to an easy win in the second set before he encountered some issues in the final set.
"It was a tough third set there, I was down a break and obviously a lot of emotions, I was close to the finish line," Kyrgios said. "There were a lot of ebbs and flows, and I knew I hit a bit of a flat patch at the start of the third set."
The loss continues a drought for the Americans, who last won the Davis Cup in 2007. The United States has won a record 32 titles with Australia second with 28. The Aussies last won in 2003.
David Goffin delivered the clinching victory as Belgium defeated host Italy 3-2 in Charleroi to advance to the semifinals.
Goffin's 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Paolo Lorenzi gave Belgium a 3-1 lead to wrap up the match. Italy's Alessandro Giannessi defeated Joris de Loore 6-4, 7-6 (9) in a meaningless match.
Belgium, the runners-up in the 2015 Davis Cup, will host Australia in the semis.
Goffin won his match in one hour, 52 minutes, closing it with his 29th winning hit.
"When you see the score it was comfortable, but inside it was not," Goffin told reporters. "You have to stay focused. Especially when you win the first two sets and you think it's the end, but it's not. I'm really happy with how I finished.
"I just give my best on the court. I just want to play for my team and my country. I love to play at home, with the atmosphere in front of my own fans."
Dusan Lajovic and Serbia finished off a victory that was clinched on Saturday, prevailing 4-1 over Spain at Belgrade, Serbia.
Serbia will visit France in the semifinals.
Lajovic recovered from an opening-set loss to post a 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 win over Jaume Munar. Spain later got its lone point of the weekend when Albert Ramos-Vinolas defeated Nenad Zimonjic 6-2, 6-1.
World No. 2 Novak Djokovic said he would look at his schedule in anticipation of playing for Serbia in September's semifinals.
"They are likely to pick red clay at Roland Garros or Monte Carlo for the clash and I will do my best to make myself available for the semis because we all value playing for our country," Djokovic said. "We will be out to do battle against one of the best Davis Cup nations.
"I am now relishing the clay court season as I felt really well throughout this Davis Cup week."
Jeremy Chardy posted a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Kyle Edmund to wrap up France's 4-1 victory over Great Britain at Rouen, France.
The Brits, who won the Davis Cup title two years ago, were hampered by not having World No. 1 Andy Murray, who missed the weekend with an elbow injury.
France, which last won the Davis Cup title in 2001, clinched the victory on Saturday. Great Britain got on the board Sunday when Daniel Evans beat Julien Benneteau 6-1, 6-2 prior to Chardy's closing win.
France is part of the semifinals for the fifth time in eight years.
"What we hope is that these guys enjoy this moment and keep working hard and have a good season," France captain Yannick Noah said afterward. "The next time we're going to see each other is going to be after the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open so there is a lot of tennis to be played."
