Australia’s Alex de Minaur and Thanasi Kokkinakis had been each edged out in three-set singles battles.
Manchester, Nice Britain, 13 September 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Australia has misplaced its opening round-robin tie on the 2023 Davis Cup Finals.
Nice Britain made essentially the most of a home-court benefit in Manchester, recording a 2-1 victory towards final yr’s runner-ups.
Debutant Jack Draper supplied Nice Britain with a dream begin, firing 24 aces in a 6-7(6) 6-3 7-6(4) victory towards Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis.
The collection of 21-year-old Draper, who was coming off a career-best fourth-round run on the US Open, paid off handsomely for the British crew.
Kokkinakis served for the match within the tenth recreation of the deciding set, however world No.106 Draper managed to combat again and shut out victory in two hours and 52 minutes.
“I had golden alternatives serving for it clearly and 4-2 up within the breaker serving, however let the nerves get to me,” a upset Kokkinakis mentioned.
“Hats off to him, he performed some good tennis when he wanted to, but it surely’s positively a tricky one and stings for certain.”
Dan Evans then sealed Nice Britain’s win with a three-set triumph towards Australia’s Alex de Minaur.
World No.27 Evans, who was chosen within the No.1 place forward of Seventeenth-ranked compatriot Cameron Norrie, edged out a 6-1 2-6 6-4 victory.
It’s Evans’ third consecutive win towards world No.12 De Minaur.
De Minaur, who had received seven of his previous eight Davis Cup matches, recovered from a 0-4 deficit within the deciding set, however couldn’t fairly reel in Evans’ lead.
“It’s disappointing that I couldn’t get it accomplished for my nation and teammates,” De Minaur mentioned.
“In the present day was simply a type of days, I misplaced to the higher man.”
Matt Ebden and Max Purcell secured the ultimate doubles rubber for Australia with a 7-6(5) 6-4 win over Evans and world No.3 Neal Skupki.
“Clearly GB received the day, however we knew a win on this final rubber might be the distinction on the finish of the week,” mentioned Ebden. “So we actually needed to convey it.”
Teaming up for the primary time since October, the Wimbledon 2022 champions loved a seamless reunion.
There was solely a single break within the high-quality one-hour and 43-minute encounter, with world No.8 Ebden and world No.45 Purcell putting within the closing recreation of the match.
🇦🇺 end on a excessive with a win within the Doubles.
🇬🇧 take the tie 2-1#DavisCup | @TennisAustralia pic.twitter.com/hWqEztzQHV
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 13, 2023
Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt believes his crew was unfortunate.
“We had been awfully near in all probability successful 2-1 or 3-0 if issues had of went our manner,” Hewitt mentioned.
“Thanasi, that was a flip of the coin in the long run and will have gone both manner.
“Alex, if he might have taken his probabilities early within the first set, it might have been barely completely different as properly.”
Australia now faces France in a must-win round-robin tie (from 10pm AEST on Thursday 14 September).
France have made a powerful begin to its marketing campaign, scoring a 3-0 round-robin victory towards Switzerland earlier this week.
> READ: Australia’s schedule for 2023 Davis Cup Finals revealed
The highest-two performing nations from the group stage will progress to the knock-out stage of the 2023 Davis Cup Finals in Spain in November, that means Australia stays in competition.
“On this format, something might occur,” Hewitt mentioned.
Aussies in motion – Davis Cup
Nice Britain d Australia 2-1
Jack Draper (GBR) d Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 6-7(6) 6-3 7-6(4)
Dan Evans (GBR) d Alex de Minaur (AUS) 6-1 2-6 6-4
Matt Ebden/Max Purcell (AUS) d Dan Evans/Neal Skupski (GBR) 7-6(5) 6-4
Guide on-line, play right now: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on courtroom and have some enjoyable!
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