Undefeated Australia leads Group B in Valencia after a win over Czech Republic, and its Davis Cup Closing qualification will likely be confirmed if Spain beats France.
Valencia, Spain, 13 September 2024 | Ian Chadband (AAP)
Australia’s hovering tennis males are on the verge of one other crack at Davis Cup Finals glory after successful their second group-stage tie in simply three days with a 3-0 whitewash of an ailing Czech Republic outfit in Valencia.
Lleyton Hewitt’s group, Davis Cup runners-up for the final two years, at the moment are on monitor to make the ‘final-eight’ week in Malaga in November after following up their 2-1 win over France with a a lot simpler outing towards the damage and illness-hit Czechs on Thursday.
Thanasi Kokkinakis, once more entrusted with the difficult No.2 singles spot by captain Hewitt, got here up trumps as soon as extra on the indoor arduous courtroom as soon as extra, maturely coping with the erratic firepower of rising teenage star Jakub Mensik in a formidable 6-2 6-7(2) 6-3 victory first up.
“To step up and get two factors on the board is huge,” Kokkinakis informed daviscup.com, additionally referencing his win over Arthur Fils in Australia’s earlier victory towards France.
“Massive as much as Lleyton for trusting me and giving me the run. All of us might have performed, that’s the great thing about tennis in Australia proper now, we’re all having nice years.”
| 2024 Davis Cup Finals Group B standings | |||
| Nation | Ties received | Ties misplaced | Matches W-L |
| Australia | 2 | 0 | 5-1 |
| Spain | 1 | 0 | 3-0 |
| France | 0 | 1 | 1-2 |
| Czech Republic | 0 | 2 | 0-6 |
The Czech problem then crumbled after simply eight minutes of the second rubber when their No.1 Tomas Machac, who had been compelled to retire with cramp throughout his loss to Carlos Alcaraz in Wednesday’s loss towards hosts Spain, once more pulled out, this time with damage, towards Alexei Popyrin.
To finish what Hewitt felt was “an ideal day”, his trusty doubles pairing of Matt Ebden and Max Purcell made quick work of Mensik and Adam Pavlasek 6-4 6-2 to enhance their Davis Cup file collectively to 8-1 and seal the important win.
“Thanasi was improbable within the first match,” stated Hewitt.
“It was how he responded when challenged, which was so spectacular to me. Actually happy with his effort; improbable to again up from a few days in the past as properly. That’s going to present him the world of perception in himself.
“Pop [Alexei Popyrin] was able to go, however didn’t get a lot of an opportunity. We’ll definitely take it although.
“We all know how necessary on this state of affairs and this format it’s to attempt to win 3-0, so we definitely weren’t letting up.”
World No.67 Mensik, a 19-year-old with a giant future, offered loads of bother as he battled again to nick the second set after the Adelaide man had served for a straight-sets win.
However Kokkinakis regrouped and was then immaculate on his supply as he bombed down a complete of 19 aces whereas controlling the decider.
Mission completed 🫡@TKokkinakis provides Australia a 1-0 lead as he defeats Mensik in three units in Valencia #DavisCup | @TennisAustralia pic.twitter.com/GPzIIeZHt1
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 12, 2024
The next battle between the 2 No.1s became a farce because it instantly turned apparent that Machac, transferring stiffly and with proper calf closely strapped, shouldn’t have been enjoying in any respect as he wanted courtside medical consideration after dropping simply the primary sport.
At 15-30 down on his personal serve within the second, he then supplied a resigned hand to Popyrin, gifting the Australians victory after simply 9 factors.
The explanation Machac was compelled to play was as a result of the Czechs, who had solely 4 males of their group, had been hit by one other match-day blow when their No.2 singles man Jiri Lehecka was compelled out with sickness.
The victory put Hewitt’s group in a vastly highly effective place to achieve the eight-team finals week after a second Group B victory, with a tie towards the Alcaraz-inspired hosts nonetheless to return on Sunday.
If Spain beat France on Friday, the Aussies’ ticket to Malaga will likely be assured.
“[There’s] a bit to play out I suppose, the following couple of days with the opposite groups, and we see the place that lands,” Hewitt stated.
“However we are able to solely do what we are able to management, and we’ll prepare to present our greatest effort on Sunday [against Spain] and see what the state of affairs is.
“As I’ve stated after I first acquired right here, I had full perception within the 5 gamers that I’ve acquired within the group, and I nonetheless completely do. And I’m so happy with them, and their efforts, and what they’ve put themselves by way of in a extremely powerful calendar as properly.
“The group camaraderie is unimaginable, they usually feed off one another, and we’re getting the outcomes on the again of that.”
2024 Davis Cup Finals – group stage
AUSTRALIA d CZECH REPUBLIC 3-0
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) d Jakub Mensik (CZE) 6-2 6-7(2) 6-3
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) d Tomas Machac (CZE) 1-0 ret.
Matt Ebden/Max Purcell (AUS) d Jakub Mensik/Adam Pavlasek (CZE) 6-4 6-2
Discover your approach to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on courtroom and have some enjoyable!
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