ATP Cup heartbreak for Great Britain as Australia save four match points to reach semi-final
Alex de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios saved four match points in the sudden death tie-breaker as Australia came back from the brink to beat Great Britain in the ATP Cup quarter-final.
In what turned out to be a topsy-turvy match in Sydney, Australia prevailed as De Minaur and Kyrgios beat Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury 3-6, 6-3, 18-16 to hand the hosts a 2-1 win.
Australia initially had the upper hand through Kyrgios as he dispatched Cam Norrie 6-2, 6-2 in the opening singles rubber of the day, but Dan Evans kept Great Britain in the tie as he rallied to upset world No 18 De Minaur 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-6 (7-2).
Evans EVENS it 👏👏
Dan Evans converts his 5th match point to edge Alex de Minaur 7-6 4-6 7-6 and set up a deciding doubles rubber in Sydney. #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/29ZfHRNBRM
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 9, 2020
“That’s about as good as I’ve got really and I only got through by the skin of my teeth,” Evans said after his three-hour tussle.
“I sneaked it and this is what team competition is always about, particularly Britain and Australia, it’s always a great rivalry and there’s been great spirit.”
It meant the doubles clash was a winner-a-takes-all encounter and it went all the way before Australia won the deciding tie-breaker.
Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt pulled off a bit of a surprise by replacing John Peers and Chris Guccione with De Minaur and Kyrgios for the doubles, but it worked a charm as they won in one hour and 36 minutes.
FINAL FOUR! 🇦🇺@NickKyrgios and @alexdeminaur save FOUR match points and send the Aussies to the #ATPCup semis with a 3-6 6-3 18-16 win over Murray and Salisbury. pic.twitter.com/sQYDEb2K7D
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 9, 2020
The Australians found themselves 7-4 up in the tie-breaker, but Murray and Salisbury fought back to level it at 8-9 and then found themselves with a match point, but De Minaur and Kyrgios saved it.
Both pairings squandered four match points in the sudden-death tie-breaker before the Australians wrapped it up.
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
NewsCoco Gauff unsure how she will feel on her return to Wimbledon
The American’s career took off in 2019 when she made it to the fourth round at SW19.
-
NewsMatteo Berrettini beats Britain’s Cameron Norrie in final at Queen’s
Norrie, 25, was attempting to become only the second Brit to win at Queen’s, after Andy Murray, since the Second World War.
-
Kevin PalmerExclusive – Annabel Croft urges tennis players not to treat the media as their enemy
Former British No.1 Annabel Croft fears some…
-
NewsCameron Norrie sets up Matteo Berrettini final after big win at Queen’s Club
The 25-year-old will now face top seed Matteo Berrettini as he looks to claim his first ATP title.
-
NewsAndy Murray’s cheeky post from England v Scotland game creates social media stir
Andy Murray has tended to avoid getting involved in the England v Scotland rivalry, but he couldn’t resist on Friday night.
-
NewsBritish number one Dan Evans goes out at quarter-final stage at Queen’s Club
But Cameron Norrie books his place in the last eight.
-
NewsDan Evans has his run at Queen’s Club ended by Matteo Berrettini
Top seed Matteo Berrettini reached the semi-finals with a 7-6 (5) 6-3 victory.
-
Kevin PalmerExclusive – Tennis needs to build ‘female workforce’ to reach a new audience
Judy Murray wants to see more women participating in tennis at all levels.
-
WimbledonNaomi Osaka will not play at Wimbledon but she is preparing to return to the game
Wimbledon is set to begin on June 28 and Naomi Osaka will be missing.
-
NewsAndy Murray insists his ambition is not dented after compressive defeat at Queen’s Club
The Scot was overpowered 6-3 6-3.