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“I had full perception in him”: Hewitt’s religion repaid in Davis Cup upset | 22 November, 2024 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions

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Australia Captain Lleyton Hewitt pulled a few Davis Cup choice surprises with none greater than Thanasi Kokkinakis to open the tie in opposition to the USA in Malaga.

Malaga, Spain, 22 November 2024 | Rhys de Deugd@TKokkinakis 💪#DavisCup | @TennisAustralia pic.twitter.com/7jJ1vroOJV

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 21, 2024

The one different matches Kokkinakis had performed since had been on his option to the Sydney Challenger title and a dropping Laver Cup singles outing.

“I had full perception in him. I do know the remainder of the boys did too to go on the market right this moment,” Hewitt stated.

“He was hitting it a deal with all week main in. He bought what he deserved. He put in a really powerful coaching block for us to get that win right this moment, which was bloody essential.”

Hewitt had full confidence in his choice regardless of having ignored top-30 expenses, Montreal Masters champion Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson.

Kokkinakis proved his value early and outclassed the American to shut out the primary set in simply 22 minutes. Nevertheless, the rest of the match remained as shut as a whisper.

“I knew he would begin to play higher and discover his rhythm somewhat bit extra within the second set,” Kokkinakis stated.

“I felt like each time I’d begin to get a little bit of rhythm on the return, he’d begin to provide you with a very good serve in that third set.”

The third-set tiebreak elevated the match from nice to legendary, because the 30-point decider turned the sixth-longest in Davis Cup historical past.

“I saved trying on the rating ticking over, and I couldn’t consider how lengthy the tiebreak was going,” Kokkinakis stated.

“Tremendous glad to get that. Comfortable that Lleyton had religion in me once more to place me in.”

Kokkinakis has now received his previous 4 Davis Cup Finals matches, successful all three this yr, paired with career-best leads to all 4 Grand Slams.

In a rematch of their ATP Finals showdown every week in the past, new world No.4 Taylor Fritz noticed off Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur, a late affirmation to the crew, in straight units to drive the deciding doubles rubber.

The road-up for that conflict was no much less calculated as Hewitt backed the duo of US Open doubles champion Jordan Thompson and Olympic gold medallist Matthew Ebden, two of probably the most in-form doubles gamers accessible.

US captain Bob Bryan opted for a last-minute change when he fielded Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton as a substitute of the Olympic silver medallists Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek or Olympic bronze medallists Fritz and Tommy Paul.

The Australians prevailed 6-4 6-4 to seal the tie and ebook their spot within the semifinals.

The skilled Aussie doubles specialist Ebden improved his general Davis Cup document to an impressive 14-3 with the win and proved to not be phased by the change in gamers.

“Clearly that they had written down Krajicek and Ram, so it was a change,” Ebden stated.

“It was going to be powerful regardless, and we’re simply glad we mixed properly and bought it executed.”

Discover your option to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on courtroom and have some enjoyable!



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