HUNGARY HIT THE FRONT AFTER DOUBLES SUPRISE

Photograph: Getty Images

Australia is placed precariously in their Davis Cup qualifier against Hungary after John Peers and Luke Saville lost their doubles encounter.

The Aussies must win both of the remaining two matches in order to defeat their European opponents following the 4-6, 4-6 loss to Fabian Marozsan and Mate Valkusz.

It’s a bad loss for the Australians considering the huge gap in the rankings between them and their opponents. Marozsan is currently ranked at 586 while Valkusz is ranked at 1312 in the doubles - lightyears away from Peers (11) and Saville (53).

However, credit must be given to the Hungarians who played solid from the get-go and never let the Australians lead the match at any stage.

The Hungarians got off to a flyer and took a commanding 3-0 lead in the opening set before the Australians rallied to level it at 4-4.

Then, in what would be mirrored in the second set, Australia served to keep themselves in it at 4-5 but they were unable to hold.

The second set was more of an arm wrestle as the teams stayed on serve throughout the set. The Hungarians showed great resistance and only afforded Australia one break point opportunity, which they failed to capitalise on.

Conversely, Australia didn’t allow any break point opportunities in the second set until they gave Hungary three of them in what would be the final game of the match. The Europeans only needed one of them to secure a memorable victory for Marozsan and Valkusz on Ken Rosewall Arena.

The next match between Alex de Minaur and Marton Fucsovics will either decide the tie or keep the Australians in it. The final encounter will take place between Thanasi Kokkinakis and Zsombor Piros.