# Stan Smith Wins Davis Cup Final

> Stan Smith and U.S. team clinch last Davis Cup Challenge Round victory.
- Title: Stan Smith Wins Davis Cup Final · Tennis Majors | Shortify
- Summary: Stan Smith and U.S. team clinch last Davis Cup Challenge Round victory. Stan Smith defeated Ion Tiriac 8-6, 6-3, 6-0 to win the last Davis Cup Challenge…
- Keywords: stan smith, ion tiriac, united states, romania, davis cup, challenge round, olde providence racket club, charlotte, north carolina, tennis, 1971, 1972
- Source: Tennis Majors — https://tennismajors.com/others-news/on-this-day-october-10-1971-stan-smith-and-the-united-states-won-the-last-davis-cup-challenge-round-297266.html
- Published: 2026-10-10T02:50:48+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: stan smith, ion tiriac, united states, romania, davis cup, challenge round, olde providence racket club, charlotte, north carolina, tennis, 1971, 1972
## The Final Match
Stan Smith defeated Ion Tiriac 8-6, 6-3, 6-0 to win the United States' last Davis Cup Challenge Round victory in 1971.
## Heavy Rain and Court Drying
Heavy rain forced officials to use a helicopter and gasoline to dry the courts before the match.
## Stan Smith's Background
Stan Smith was born in 1946 in South California and became a Grand Slam champion after being rejected as a Davis Cup ballboy.
## Ion Tiriac's Background
Ion Tiriac, nicknamed 'the Brasov Bulldozer', was a Romanian tennis player who reached the 1968 Roland-Garros quarterfinals.
## The Match Location
The 1971 Davis Cup final was held at the Olde Providence Racket Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
## Challenger Team's Path
Romania won six matches to qualify for the Davis Cup Challenge Round, including beating Netherlands, Israel, Yugoslavia, and West Germany.
## Court Drying Efforts
Officials used a helicopter and gasoline to dry the courts after heavy rain, turning clay into asphalt.
## Smith's Winning Match
Smith won the match 8-6, 6-3, 6-0 on a fast court he had learned to play on while growing up in California.
## Next Match in 1972
Smith and Tiriac met again in the 1972 Davis Cup final, where Smith won 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 6-0.
## Aftermath
Smith became world No. 1 and won Wimbledon in 1972, while Tiriac became a successful sports manager and billionaire.
## Key takeaway

Stan Smith defeated Ion Tiriac 8-6, 6-3, 6-0 to win the last Davis Cup Challenge Round in 1971.