’Wasn’t ready’: Kokkinakis’ Davis Cup redemption after bold Lleyton gamble pays off in quarter-final win

Thanasi Kokkinakis didn’t think he was ready when he was asked to step up for Australia two years ago in the Davis Cup finals.

But this time he was and the now 28-year-old, who captain Lleyton Hewitt said would be “dangerous for anybody” after the shock decision to pick him ahead of Alexei Popyrin for the opening singles clash against the USA, delivered.

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Kokkinakis defended four match points and a endured a marathon third-set tie-breaker before taking down Ben Shelton 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (16/14) with a gripping tie-break triumph.

World No.4 Taylor Fritz then pulled the US level by beating Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4 in the second singles rubber before Matt Ebden and Jordan Thompson scored a 6-4, 6-4 win over Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul to secure the epic win and passage to the semi-finals.

Hewitt said he had “full belief” in picking Kokkinakis over Popyrin and he “played like the winner of the NSW Open Challenger about a month ago”.

“Me and the rest of the team know what Thanasi’s level is like, and if we can get him going out there and playing at his highest level, he’s dangerous for anybody. I don’t care who it is,” Hewitt said.

“You know, I had full belief in him. I know the rest of the boys did to go out there today. He was hitting it a treat all week leading in. He got what he deserved. He put a very

tough training block in for us to get that win today, which was bloody important.”

For Kokkinakis, the win was “massive” and reaffirmed in his mind that after a horror run of injuries his capacity to tackle the world’s best was growing and he was starting to overcome doubts in his own ability.

“It’s massive. Massive for me, for the team,” he said.

“I played two years ago when we made the final, but I wasn’t ready. I had a sinus surgery sort of a few weeks before that, so this is the first time I feel like I have been able to be healthy and at least give the team a chance and put my best food forward.

“Happy that Lleyton had faith in me again to put me in.

“I think it’s been pretty well documented sort of the troubles I have had throughout my career. I’m 28 now, but I feel like I’ve seen a lot. I came onto the scene young. I still feel like there is a lot of good tennis in me left. I feel like I can cause an upset and play big matches and have big wins, as I have shown this year.

“So for me it’s just about trying to be consistent and playing more events. I’ve always struggled with that. Doing it for the country always seems to bring out a different sort of intensity and effort.”

The final set tie-breaker was the longest of Kokkinakis’ career and the world No.77 fell to the floor after finally converting match point.

“I have had a lot of emotional matches. Some for good; some for bad,” he said.

“But to win a match like that for Australia is huge in the finals.

“I know what I can do when I’m locked in and playing well, I thought I was practising really well all week. Maybe they believed in me there. A lot of times they believe in me more than I do myself. “

Australia will next play either nemesis Italy or Argentina in the semi-finals, with that tie ongoing.

SINNER SAVES ITALIANS

World No.1 Jannik Sinner rescued Davis Cup holders Italy in the quarter-finals, tying their quarter-final battle with Argentina at 1-1 and forcing a doubles decider.

Sinner won his first two Grand Slams this season, as well as triumphing at the ATP Finals last week without dropping a set, and blew Sebastian Baez away 6-2, 6-1 in the second singles rubber.

Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo swept to a convincing 6-4, 6-1 victory over Lorenzo Musetti in the opening singles clash.

“It was a must-win match, it’s very different conditions, the court is very fast and tough to play, I haven’t had much time to adapt to it, but (I’m) happy to keep Italy alive,” said Sinner.

“Last year we had great memories, now let’s see what’s coming.” Italy, aiming for a third consecutive return to the semi-finals, are favourites to win the Davis Cup for a second year running, largely because of Sinner’s presence.

The 23-year-old is still waiting for the outcome of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal against his initial exoneration for twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.

Sinner beat Novak Djokovic in singles and doubles in last year’s semi-finals on the way to helping Italy end a 47-year wait to lift the trophy again.

Despite not playing at his best level, Sinner was still streets ahead of Baez. Sinner broke for a 3-1 lead, with the Argentinian unable to cope with the power of his strokes.

The Italian spurned five set points before finally getting the job done with another break as Baez tried to cling on.

Sinner broke in the second and fourth games of the second set, before facing heavy pressure on his serve in the fifth.

The Italian defended four break points on his way to a tough hold and then wrapped up the match on his next service game, sealing it with his 10th winner in 72 minutes.

– Cerundolo at his ‘best’ – Cerundolo outclassed Musetti with ease in the opening rubber, buoyed by fervent Argentine support at the Martin Carpena Arena, hoping their team can add to their solitary Davis Cup conquest in 2016.

“I played one of the best matches of the year for sure… I knew I had to win because the tie is super close,” said Cerundolo.

“I knew I had to play my best today and I think I did it.” However, things did not start perfectly for the Argentinian who double-faulted to hand Italy an early break for 2-0, but he worked his way back on serve straight away when Musetti whipped a forehand wide.

Cerundolo broke in the seventh and ninth games, with Musetti replying in the eighth, and it was enough for the 26-year-old to claim the topsy-turvy first set by holding to love.

Cerundolo stepped up a gear in the second set with his powerful forehand a constant thorn in Musetti’s side.

The world number 30 broke in the first game and again in the fifth for a 4-1 lead, which he consolidated with ease with the Italian’s spirit broken.

Musetti, ranked 17th, was unable to offer any resistance and capitulated to love in his final service game.

“I couldn’t manage to play as I imagined,” lamented Musetti. “I didn’t expect him to play like this, it was a little bit surprising for me. “In the second set he really found confidence in his game, he was really solid… he deserved to win.” The first semi-final between Netherlands, who defeated Rafa Nadal’s Spain, and Germany will be played on Friday