– Frances Tiafoe was beaten for the second straight time and the United States lost to the Netherlands in the group stage of the Davis Cup finals Thursday.
Tallon Griekspoor defeated Tiafoe 6-3, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3) to secure the Netherlands the victory in Group D in Split. Botic van de Zandschulp had beaten Tommy Paul 7-6 (2), 6-2 in the opening singles match. Tiafoe had lost to Croatian Borna Gojo on Wednesday in a tie the Americans won 2-1.
The Netherlands had opened with a win against Finland.
Defending champion Canada earlier defeated Sweden to take the lead in Group A.
Gabriel Diallo secured the Canadians the point with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Elias Ymer. Vasek Pospisil had given Canada a 1-0 lead by defeating Leo Borg 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-2. Borg is the son of 11-time Grand Slam champion Bjorn Borg.
Canada had opened its title defense with a win over host Italy on Wednesday in Bologna, while Sweden was swept by Chile on Tuesday.
