Thanasi Kokkinakis’ career-best 12 months continues with victory within the stay fifth rubber of the Davis Cup qualifier, finishing Australia’s hard-fought win over Hungary.
Sydney, Australia , 5 March 2022 | Vivienne Christie
Thanasi Kokkinakis has written one other chapter in his exceptional 2022 comeback story, with a win over Zsombor Piros additionally securing Australia’s victory over Hungary within the Davis Cup qualifier at Ken Rosewall Enviornment.
Kokkinakis claimed a 6-4 6-4 win within the stay fifth match in opposition to Piros, making certain Australia advances to the round-robin stage of the 2022 Davis Cup Finals.
It was the 25-year-old’s first match win on the earth crew occasion since September 2015, when he final represented Australia within the World Group semifinals in opposition to Nice Britain.
“It’s been a seven years since I performed Davis Cup and that is unbelievable, taking part in on this environment,” Kokkinakis smiled.
Immediately’s high-pressure efficiency for the No.2 Australian adopted Alex de Minaur’s victory over Marton Fucsovics.
Earlier, John Friends and Luke Saville suffered a shock loss to Fabian Marozsan and Mate Valkulz within the doubles, creating an necessary lead for Hungary.
An eventual 3-2 victory marked the primary time since 2015 that Australia recovered from a 1-2 Davis Cup deficit.
Thanasi timing ⏰@TKokkinakis secures the decisive match and a Finals spot for the inexperienced and gold #DavisCup #byRakuten | @TennisAustralia pic.twitter.com/puPcZm7UPP
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) March 5, 2022
On that event, Lleyton Hewitt defeated Aleksandr Nedovyesov in a stay fifth rubber to safe victory over Kazakhstan within the World Group quarterfinals in Darwin. Fittingly, the 41-year-old now leads Australia’s Davis Cup crew as captain.
If the excessive stakes created nerves for Kokkinakis, he simply managed them in opposition to world No.240-ranked Zsombos.
Gaining a break of serve within the third recreation, Kokkinakis maintained his result in safe the opener in 37 minutes.
The South Australian additionally led from the identical stage of the second set, piling stress on his youthful opponent as he gained a 3-1 benefit.
Kokkinakis’ trademark serve proved most damaging, with 9 aces and never a single double fault including to an all-round dominant show.
He didn’t face a break level within the 86-minute encounter, finishing victory with an ace on his first match level.
However maybe most spectacular was Kokkinakis’ composure, after a three-set loss to Fucsovics yesterday. He pointed to management from Hewitt as captain and De Minaur as No.1 participant as a think about his calm beneath stress.
AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE! 🇦🇺 ⚡️ 🗣@TKokkinakis overcomes Piros 6-4 6-4 to progress Staff Australia to the @DavisCup Finals for a 3rd straight 12 months.#GoAussies pic.twitter.com/n4lvQ3I8z6
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) March 5, 2022
“I had full confidence within the guys. Demon’s our chief (it was) an unbelievable week for him too. Actually high-quality matches, he put Australia on his again time and time once more,” Kokkinakis associated.
“I needed to attempt to do my half however all of the boys have had an amazing week. I thank Lleyton for trusting me – as I stated, it’s been a very long time since I performed.
“To play a fifth rubber at house, it’s unbelievable. I get nervous however realizing these guys give it their all each time, it makes me need to come out right here and carry out.”
The arrogance-boosting Davis Cup victory provides to what already charges as a career-best season for the 25-year-old, who claimed a primary ATP singles title in Adelaide earlier this 12 months and lifted the Australian Open males’s doubles trophy alongside Nick Kyrgios.
“I couldn’t have requested for extra to begin the 12 months,” stated Kokkinakis, declaring as we speak’s victory as a transparent spotlight.
“Davis Cup is so totally different. In these singles tournaments, ATPs, you’re taking part in for your self – right here you’ve received it appears like the entire nation backing you and supporting you.
“It’s a distinct sort of stress but it surely’s one thing that if you wish to play on the massive stage you’ve received to get used to. Simply having the help is unreal.”
> RELATED: Alex de Minaur retains Australian Davis Cup hopes alive in opposition to Hungary
Australia v Hungary, Davis Cup qualifier
RESULTS – Day Two
Fabian Marozsan/Mate Valkulz (HUN) d John Friends/Luke Saville (AUS) 6-4 6-4
Alex de Minaur (AUS) d Marton Fucsovics (HUN) 7-6(4) 6-4
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) v Zsombor Piros (HUN) 6-4 6-4
