The United States became the first playoff participant to punch a ticket to the 2016 World Group. With a 2-1 lead going into the final day of action, the visitors closed out Uzbekistan thanks to Jack Sock’s 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Denis Istomin.

Both Sock and Istomin had put up points for their respective nations on Friday. Istomin outlasted Steve Johnson 7-5 in the fifth set before Sock dusted aside Farrukh Dustov 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.

Johnson matched Sock in playing a hand in two of the Americans’ three points. In addition to his 1-1 singles record, Johnson teamed up with Sam Querrey to dominate Saturday’s doubles rubber. But success was especially sweet for Sock, who seemed to be on course for a run at the U.S. Open but had to retire from his second-round match against Ruben Bemelmans because of heat problems.

“To get two wins and play…