Undefeated Australia leads Group B in Valencia after a win over Czech Republic, and its Davis Cup Remaining qualification can be confirmed if Spain beats France.
Valencia, Spain, 13 September 2024 | Ian Chadband (AAP)instructed daviscup.com, additionally referencing his win over Arthur Fils in Australia’s earlier victory towards France.
“Huge 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 gained | 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 pressured 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 brief work of Mensik and Adam Pavlasek 6-4 6-2 to enhance their Davis Cup document 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 nicely. 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 actually take it although.
“We all know how vital on this scenario and this format it’s to try to win 3-0, so we actually 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 offers 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 following battle between the 2 No.1s was a farce because it instantly grew to become 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 provided a resigned hand to Popyrin, gifting the Australians victory after simply 9 factors.
The rationale Machac was pressured to play was as a result of the Czechs, who had solely 4 males of their crew, had been hit by one other match-day blow when their No.2 singles man Jiri Lehecka was pressured out with sickness.
The victory put Hewitt’s crew in a massively 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 can 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 will solely do what we will management, and we’ll prepare to present our greatest effort on Sunday [against Spain] and see what the scenario 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 crew, and I nonetheless completely do. And I’m so happy with them, and their efforts, and what they’ve put themselves by in a extremely powerful calendar as nicely.
“The crew camaraderie is unbelievable, 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 court docket and have some enjoyable!
