Alex de Minaur will lead Australia within the Davis Cup qualifier in opposition to Hungary, with in-form Thanasi Kokkinakis incomes the second singles spot.
Sydney, Australia, 3 March 2022 | Vivienne Christie
Alex de Minaur and Thanasi Kokkinakis will lead the day one cost for Australia within the Davis Cup qualifier in opposition to Hungary at Ken Rosewall Area.
De Minaur was at present named to face No.2 Hungarian Zsombor Piros within the opening singles rubber through the official draw ceremony at The Rocks in Sydney.
Nearly seven years since he final competed for Australia in Davis Cup, Kokkinakis will observe in opposition to Hungarian No.1 Marton Fucsovics.
Group captain Lleyton Hewitt defined that Kokkinakis’ breakthrough Australian summer season, wherein he claimed a primary ATP singles title on the Adelaide Worldwide, helped within the troublesome resolution to call Kokkinakis over the equally gifted Alexei Popyrin.
“I feel the best way that Thanasi carried out in Australia and the way his physique’s been holding up is all credit score to him. He’s put in numerous onerous work and he deserves this chance tomorrow evening to have a crack at their No.1 participant,” Hewitt stated.
“We have now full perception that he can actually try to crack this tie open for us tomorrow. I’m trying ahead to being on the market on court docket with him.”
Official @DavisCup Draw 🎾
🇦🇺 Group Australia v Group Hungary 🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/IddgECfBbX
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) March 3, 2022
Kokkinakis is equally excited to return to the Australian crew. “It’s been so lengthy for me to play. It’s a distinct form of environment, a distinct form of feeling and one which I type of jumped on the alternative when Lleyton requested me,” stated the 25-year-old.
“I’m stoked to be across the guys once more. Can’t wait. (It’s my) first time taking part in in Sydney in order that must be enjoyable and yeah, it’s simply going to be good to placed on the colors and get after it.”
John Friends and Luke Saville, contesting his first Davis Cup match for Australia, will mix for Saturday’s doubles rubber in opposition to Fucsovics and Fabian Marozsan on Saturday.
“The boys have accomplished every little thing that I’ve requested of them. I’ve bought full confidence in them that they’re going to play effectively,” Hewitt stated.
> DOWNLOAD: Australia v Hungary Qualifier Official Davis Cup Program
Saturday’s singles rubbers will see a reverse of the day one encounters.
For De Minaur, the chance to compete once more on a favorite court docket at Ken Rosewall Area provides to his ardour within the crew occasion.
“It’s been a court docket the place I’ve had some nice recollections,” stated the 23-year-old, who claimed the primary of 5 singles titles on the 2019 Sydney Worldwide.
“Some particular moments, a court docket I’ve grown up on. Simply to play in entrance of household and associates, play a few of my finest tennis on that court docket, it’s going to be very particular.”
✅ Favorite occasion
✅ Residence metropolis, Sydney
✅ Joyful recollections on a cherished court docket
⁰@alexdeminaur is ready for an enormous weekend when Australia faces Hungary in @DavisCup ⤵️#GoAussies https://t.co/sjlixYV26u— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) March 2, 2022
Victory over Hungary this weekend would see Australia qualify for the 2022 Davis Cup Finals, the primary stage of which will likely be performed at a yet-to-be-determined location in September.
“We wish to be taking part in within the Finals on the finish of the 12 months,” stated Hewitt. “That’s when you’ll be able to win the occasion and I really consider that we now have the gamers that we will go deep on this competitors.
Australia meets Hungary within the Davis Cup qualifier at Ken Rosewall Area, Sydney Olympic Park, from 5pm on Friday 4 March. Tickets can be found through Ticketmaster.
