Australia Captain Lleyton Hewitt pulled a few Davis Cup choice surprises with none larger than Thanasi Kokkinakis to open the tie in opposition to the USA in Malaga.
Malaga, Spain, 22 November 2024 | Rhys de Deugd
Lleyton Hewitt’s daring captain’s choose to advertise world No.77 Thanasi Kokkinakis to open Australia’s Davis Cup quarterfinal has paid off following his staff’s 2-1 defeat of long-time rivals the USA.
For the fourth time since 2017, the boys in inexperienced and gold headed to the semifinals after some impressed brilliance led to the upset over a star-studded lineup.
Thriving on the large stage, Kokkinakis overcame a rankings hole of 56 locations and saved 4 match factors in opposition to Ben Shelton in a traditional showdown.
With 4 top-100 singles gamers accessible for 2 spots, Hewitt confirmed religion within the hero from two Davis Cup Finals group stage wins two months in the past.
A HUGE win for @TKokkinakis 💪#DavisCup | @TennisAustralia pic.twitter.com/7jJ1vroOJV
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 21, 2024
The one different matches Kokkinakis had performed since have been on his solution to the Sydney Challenger title and a shedding 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 at this time,” Hewitt stated.
“He was hitting it a deal with all week main in. He obtained what he deserved. He put in a really robust coaching block for us to get that win at this time, which was bloody necessary.”
Hewitt had full confidence in his choice regardless of having missed 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. Nonetheless, the rest of the match remained as shut as a whisper.
“I knew he would begin to play higher and discover his rhythm a little bit 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 give you a very good serve in that third set.”
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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 pleased to get that. Glad that Lleyton had religion in me once more to place me in.”
Kokkinakis has now gained his previous 4 Davis Cup Finals matches, successful all three this 12 months, paired with career-best ends in 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 staff, in straight units to drive the deciding doubles rubber.
GREEN AND GOLD 💚💛
Jordan Thompson and Matt Ebden present the products to eradicate america from the #DavisCup and progress to the semifinals. pic.twitter.com/XvE1T2C8F6
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) November 21, 2024
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 essentially 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 e-book their spot within the semifinals.
The skilled Aussie doubles specialist Ebden improved his general Davis Cup file to an excellent 14-3 with the win and proved to not be phased by the swap in gamers.
“Clearly they’d written down Krajicek and Ram, so it was a change,” Ebden stated.
“It was going to be robust regardless, and we’re simply glad we mixed nicely and obtained it completed.”
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