Alex de Minaur battles back from brink of defeat to help Australia edge Czech Republic at Davis Cup Finals
Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell later clinched the Final 8 tie Wednesday in a winner-take-all doubles match.
Is Australia primed to lift its first Davis Cup trophy in 20 years?
Captain Lleyton Hewitt was on that triumphant 2003 team. On Wednesday, his green and gold squad moved within two victories of clinching a 29th title in the men’s team competition a year after falling one win short of the crown against Canada.
Their victory over the Czech Republic in the Final 8 wasn’t without a dose of drama. Jordan Thompson was beaten by Tomas Machac, 6-4, 7-5, putting the pressure on Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur in Malaga.
Already down a set, the world No. 12 fell behind 5-3 when Lehecka successfully staved off three break points. De Minaur then came within two points of losing on two occasions when he served to stay in the contest, before breaking his opponent at love to inject new life into the clash.
After seeing an early break advantage wiped away in the decider, De Minaur survived a 0-40 deficit on his serve at 2-3. He later broke Lehecka for a third time in the 11th game to put the match on his racquet and served it out at love for a 4-6, 7-6 (2), 7-5 victory, forcing a winner-take-all doubles rubber.
Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell then stepped up for their country by denying Lehecka and Adam Pavlasek, 6-4, 7-5. Last year’s Wimbledon champions did not face a break point, conceding just seven points on their serves.
The Aussies can return to the championship showdown by ending Finland’s dream run on Friday. Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are expected to star for their nations Thursday when Serbia faces Great Britain and Italy battles the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the bottom half.