Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt is “tremendous proud” after the group’s 2024 marketing campaign ends within the semifinals towards Italy.
Malaga, Spain, 24 November 2024 | Rhys De Deugd
Australia has fallen agonisingly wanting its first Davis Cup title since 2003, dropping within the semifinals to Italy.
The Australian group reached the semifinal stage for the third consecutive 12 months however in a rematch of final 12 months’s closing, had been unfavourable in each singles rubbers towards the defending champions.
Whereas understandably upset, Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt is filled with pleasure for his group’s 2024 journey.
“Yeah, it’s bloody robust for all of the boys. They put in a variety of effort to present themselves an opportunity to be right here and are available so shut once more,” Hewitt mentioned.
“However yeah, (I’m) tremendous happy with the fellows and the trouble once more that they introduced and put in for the entire group.”
The tie started with a neck-and-neck battle between Thanasi Kokkinakis and Wimbledon 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini.
Two dominant servers went toe-to-toe throughout to a tiebreak within the opening set, with Kokkinakis dealing with the strain to save lots of three set factors and declare the opener.
However the stylish serving and highly effective forehand from the Italian narrowly edged him throughout the road 6-7(6) 6-3 7-5.
“He served unimaginable. 89 per cent (on first serve) within the third set. (He) didn’t give me a lot of an opportunity to look in,” Kokkinakis mentioned.
“Yeah, I’m flat. You at all times really feel such as you’ve let the group down a little bit bit, however on the similar time, I gave it my all.”
Happy with this group 💚💛
Three-consecutive @DavisCup semifinals. Simply not our day at this time.
Bravo, Italy 👏 pic.twitter.com/3u2WTGVtPI
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) November 23, 2024
Alex de Minaur then had the formidable activity of enjoying world No.1 Jannik Sinner contemporary off successful the ATP Finals in Turin. Apart from losses to Carlos Alcaraz, the Italian has misplaced only one match on onerous courtroom this 12 months, when he was sick in Montreal.
De Minaur confirmed moments of brilliance together with his signature velocity across the courtroom and selection on his groundstrokes, permitting him to interrupt the Sinner serve halfway via the opening set.
However the crowd, crammed vastly with Italian followers, spurred on their No.1 to the 6-3 6-4 victory that ended Australia’s Davis Cup marketing campaign.
“His ball velocity, his consistency appears like there’s no actual letdown of focus all through the entire match,” De Minaur mentioned.
“So, if you wish to exit and beat him, you’ve received to exit and play a few of your finest tennis. Particularly in these large factors, that you must step up.”
Australia will subsequent compete in a home-and-away within the week commencing 27 January for an opportunity to progress to the next spherical in September.
Discover your solution to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to hit the courtroom and have some enjoyable!
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