DE MINAUR FENDS OFF 'TOUGH OPPONENT', VUKIC WINS ON DEBUT IN FLAWLESS DAVIS CUP START

Australia are off to a winning start in their 2025 Davis Cup campaign thanks to wins from Alex de Minaur and Aleksandar Vukic without dropping a set against Sweden in Stockholm.

The two nations met for the first time at Davis Cup level since 2004, with both struggling off-court for separate reasons.

Captain Lleyton Hewitt made multiple selection changes to his original squad after Nick Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson’s respective injuries are expected to keep them out of action for several weeks, while Thanasi Kokkinakis travelled with the team despite a persisting shoulder injury.

Sweden’s No.1 ranked singles player, Elias Ymer, announced on Instagram earlier this week that “different views” with coach Simon Aspelin prevented him from appearing.

It meant his brother, Mikael, returned to the squad after an 18-month ban due to failing to show up for three out-of-competition doping tests, as he won an ITF title in Luxembourg a few days ago.

De Minaur opened the tie against Ymer in their first head-to-head meeting, trading lengthy tussles from the baseline, including a 41-shot rally, with no separating the pair at 5-5 in set one, before ‘Demon’ reversed a 30-0 deficit on his opponent’s serve to earn the break and serve for the opening set.

Six consecutive games saw de Minaur lead 4-0 in the second set, with experience and tiring legs proving critical to help Australia’s top-ranked singles player cross the finish line in one hour and 27 minutes.

"It was a competitive match, a very tough match. Mikael played well, I knew he was going to be a very tough opponent, so I’m very happy I got the win for Australia and put a win on the board," de Minaur said on court, who extended his Davis Cup singles record to 16-9.

At 28, Vukic made his long-awaited debut for the green and gold, describing the honour as a "privilege" when he received his jacket from Ken Rosewall on Thursday.

Once the Sydneysider broke to love for a 4-3 lead in the first set, Vukic gained control against Borg, whose father won the event 50 years ago, simply running out of answers.

It got nervy at the end of the second set, with Vukic forced to fend off three break points to level at 4-4 before he found the break in the following game to earn the Aussies a 2-0 lead with his second match point.

"Leo's a very good player," the world No.66 Australian said.

"He made it very tough, and it's always tough to play in front of the opponent's home crowd.

"Alex did a great job before me, and hopefully we'll just get some rest and recovery before the doubles guys try to do their thing."

Coverage continues on 9Gem beginning 11pm Saturday night AEDT, as doubles specialists Matthew Ebden and Matthew Peers aim to complete the job.

If the tie is still alive, then de Minaur will meet Borg and Vukic takes on Ymer.

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