Australia’s Davis Cup team is on the brink of reaching the finals after securing a decisive 3-0 victory over the Czech Republic in Valencia, marking their second group-stage win in just three days. The team, led by captain Lleyton Hewitt, is well-positioned to advance to the final eight in Malaga this November, following their 2-1 win over France.
Thanasi Kokkinakis, filling the crucial No. 2 singles spot, delivered a solid performance on the indoor hard court, defeating Czech rising star Jakub Mensik with scores of 6-2, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3. Kokkinakis’s resilience was evident as he bounced back from losing the second set to clinch victory in the decider.
The Czech Republic’s chances diminished quickly when their top player, Tomas Machac, was forced to retire due to injury after just eight minutes into his match against Alexei Popyrin. Machac, who had also struggled with cramp in a previous match against Carlos Alcaraz, was unable to continue, leading to an early Australian win.
In the doubles match, Matt Ebden and Max Purcell delivered a commanding performance, defeating Mensik and Adam Pavlasek 6-4, 6-2. This victory improved their Davis Cup record to 8-1 and ensured Australia’s dominance in the tie.
Hewitt praised Kokkinakis for his impressive performance, noting that the decision to select him over higher-ranked Jordan Thompson was justified. Kokkinakis’s ability to handle the pressure and deliver key points was crucial to Australia’s success.
The Czech Republic’s difficulties were compounded by the absence of their No. 2 singles player, Jiri Lehecka, who was sidelined due to illness. This left the Czech team short-handed and unable to compete effectively.
Australia’s victory puts them in a strong position to advance to the finals week. They will face Spain, who are led by Alcaraz, in their final group match on Sunday. If Spain defeats France, Australia’s spot in the finals will be secured. However, there remains a slim possibility that a series of unlikely results could still affect Australia’s chances.
