Australia have been handed a tricky draw within the group phases of the Davis Cup finals, wherein they are going to be bidding to take the ultimate step after successive runners-up spots.
Czech Republic, France and Spain have been paired with Lleyton Hewitt’s staff, with the latter internet hosting the group, in Valencia from 10-15 September.
Feliciano Lopez, the match director, who’s Spanish, stated ruefully after overseeing the proceedings in London on Tuesday: “Spain has probably the toughest opponents in these finals, in my opinion the strongest group.”
Nevertheless, with seven gamers on this planet’s singles high 100, headed by No.10 Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson (34), plus grand slam-winning doubles duo Matt Ebden and Max Purcell, Hewitt has each purpose to be assured.
Besides world No.2 singles participant Carlos Alcaraz and No.28 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Spain have doubles No.9 Marcel Granollers (9).
The Czechs have a trio of singles gamers within the high 100, Jiri Lehecka (27), Tomas Machac (60) and Jakub Mensik (18). Machac (86) can be within the high 100 doubles gamers together with Adam Pavlasek (41) and Petr Nouza (83).
Australia beat the Czechs within the quarter-finals final 12 months 2-1. Machac beat Thompson 6-4 7-5 within the opening rubber and when de Minaur misplaced the primary set of the second singles to Lehecka 6-4, it seemed as if Australia have been going out.
But de Minaur roared again to win in three units earlier than Ebden and Purcell beat Lehecka and Pavlasek 6-4 7-5.
Australia beat France within the finals teams stage in 2022. They can choose from Ugo Humbert (world No.15), Adrian Mannarino (20), rising star Arthur Fils (37) and veteran Gael Mofils (47).
Edouard Roger-Vasselin (12) is their star doubles participant.
As runners-up Australia have been seeded in pot 1 alongside holders Italy, 2022 winners Canada and Germany, and drawn in Group B.
Holders Italy will host a Group A in Bologna with Netherlands, Belgium and Brazil.
Germany have been drawn with USA, Slovakia and Chile, with a bunch hosted in China for the primary time, in Zhuhai.
Manchester, England, will host Group D with Canada, Finland, Argentina and Great Britain.
The Final 8 knock-out stage will once more be in Malaga 19-24 November. Hewitt can be hoping to make it third time fortunate.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
