By Erik Gudris | Friday, September 12, 2014

 

John Isner led his U.S. Davis Cup team to an early lead over Slovakia in the first day of their World Group playoff tie in Chicago.

Photo Credit: AP

America's No. 1 player John Isner led his U.S. Davis Cup team to a strong start versus Slovakia in their World Group playoff tie held in Chicago, Illinois. At stake, a spot in next year's World Group.

Davis Cup: Federer Leads Switzerland to Early Advantage

Isner faced off against World No. 126 Norbert Gombos in the opening rubber. Despite facing a tough test in the opening set, including being behind in a tiebreak, Isner closed it out 7-6(5). The American No. 1, never faced a break point on his serve throughout the match.

That allowed him to close out a 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-2 win.

"Every time you come out in a Davis Cup match, I don't care what the situation is, whether it's the Finals or whether it's the World Group Playoff, there's going to be some nerves. I was a bit nervous in the beginning. You know, I had to really dig deep to win that first set. But once I got that under my belt, I exhaled and then I started to play better. Like I said, it's never easy. But that first set was very important," Isner said after the win.

Isner's teammate, Sam Querrey, followed in the hopes of extending his team's lead.

Querrey took on Martin Klizan in the second rubber. Though Klizan has proved himself a tough and tricky opponent for some, Querrey rose to the challenge.

Not dropping a set, Querrey soon secured a 7-6(6), 6-3, 6-3 win putting his U.S. team up 2-0 heading into Saturday's doubles.

The doubles rubber features recent US Open champions Bob and Mike Bryan against Lukas Lacko and Michal Mertinek.