Rubber #1 – Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) vs Dominic Stricker (SUI)
Backed in by team captain Lleyton Hewitt, Thanasi Kokkinakis returned to the singles line-up for Australia’s crucial tie with Switzerland.
Taking on 21-year-old Dominic Stricker, the Aussie served big from the outset, firing down seven aces and making 85% of first serves to take the opening stanza 6-3.
After an early break in the second, Kokkinakis was in complete control until a loose service game at 4-3 saw Stricker break back and level the set.
With the support of Hewitt and the full Australian team courtside, the 27-year-old rallied to find another break and this time serve out the contest.
“I thought I played really well, apart from a couple of lapses”, Kokkinakis said in his press-conference.
“It helps having all the boys supporting.”
Kokkinakis’ fifth career Davis Cup singles win gave Australia the perfect start to a must-win tie in Manchester.
Australia 1-0 Switzerland - Kokkinakis def Stricker 7-5, 6-3
Rubber #2 – Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs Marc-Andrea Huesler
Having already been eliminated from contention, 38-year-old Stan Wawrinka did not play the number one singles matchup for Switzerland, with Marc-Andrea Huesler taking his place.
After Huesler came out swinging early, taking a 3-1 lead in the first set, De Minaur settled and reeled off five of the next six games to take the opener.
“He got off to a hot start and took the racquet out of my hand, but I just kept at it, and I was able to find my chances to break and settle in”, De Minaur told the media.
Getting his rhythm in the second, the Aussie put on a clinical display to take it 6-3 and give Australia a 2-0 lead in the tie.
De Minaur – who relishes the opportunity to represent Australia as much as anyone – also made it 13 wins from his last 16 Davis Cup singles matches.
Australia 2-0 Switzerland - De Minaur def Huesler 6-4, 6-3
Rubber #3 - Matt Ebden/Max Purcell (AUS) vs Dominic Stricker/Marc-Andrea Huesler (SUI)
Requiring a 3-0 victory to guarantee Australia’s progression to the Davis Cup quarterfinals, Matt Ebden and Max Purcell were brilliant once again, claiming a third straight win for the week.
The 2022 Wimbledon champions – who have not played together on tour this year – continued to show they are as strong as any doubles pair around, with a dominant straight sets triumph.
The victory capped off a fabulous day for the Aussies and secured their place in Malaga, where the final eight teams will face off in late November – as Australia looks to go one better than the final in 2022.
Australia 3-0 Switzerland – Ebden/Purcell def Stricker/Huesler 6-2, 6-4
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