SYDNEY:
Belgium hero Raphael Collignon received a decisive singles rubber Sunday to finish Australia’s hopes of constructing the Davis Cup finals, whereas fellow match heavyweights the US have been despatched packing by the Czech Republic.
Underdogs Belgium received each singles matches to take a 2-0 lead over the 28-time champions on Saturday of their second spherical qualifier.
However the dwelling facet, roared on by passionate followers at Ken Rosewall Area in Sydney, stormed again to degree the tie on Sunday.
Rinky Hijikata and Jordan Thompson pulled off a tense 6-7 (7/9), 6-3, 6-4 doubles victory over Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen to get the Australian ball rolling.
Then world quantity eight Alex De Minaur, who was upset by 91st-ranked Collignon on Saturday, bounced again to take down Belgium primary Zizou Bergs 6-2, 7-5.
It despatched the tie to a closing singles conflict, with Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt entrusting Aleksandar Vukic with dealing with Collignon.
Nonetheless, the 23-year-old Collignon was too good in a 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3 victory.
“It is a dream, it was so robust to get well from yesterday,” stated Collignon, who got here into the tie on the again of a career-best win over world quantity 12 Casper Ruud on the US Open.
“I misplaced the primary very tight set, so it was robust mentally, however I stayed there and I am very happy with myself.”
Belgium be part of Germany, Argentina, Austria, France and the Czech Republic in advancing to the eight-team closing in Bologna in November, together with defending champions Italy.
Denmark take a 2-0 lead over six-time champions Spain to determine the ultimate spot in a while Sunday in Marbella.
The USA, who’re 32-time champions, have been ousted 3-2 by the Czechs at Delray Seashore, Florida.
That conflict additionally went right down to a closing singles match the place American Frances Tiafoe was downed 6-1, 6-4 by
Jakub Mensik, who rose to prominence with a fairytale run to the Miami ATP title this 12 months.
Tremendous proud
The Individuals, who have not lifted the trophy since 2007, break up Friday’s first two singles with the Czechs in sultry circumstances.
Paris Olympic silver medallists Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram beat Tomas Machac and Mensik 7-6 (8/6), 5-7, 6-4 in a Saturday doubles match to place the USA 2-1 in entrance.
However world quantity 5 Taylor Fritz, a two-time ATP champion at Delray Seashore, was upset by Sixteenth-ranked Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to drive the deciding singles rubber the place Mensik got here out on prime.
“I am tremendous proud for the fellows, for the staff,” stated Czech captain Tomas Berdych.
“For all of the onerous work that is one of the best reward, we are able to to win and naturally go to Bologna.”
Germany beat Japan 4-0 in Tokyo, with doubles duo Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz sealing the successful level in opposition to Yosuke Watanuki and Takeru Yuzuki 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).
Argentina downed the Netherlands 3-1 in Groningen, with Andres Molteni and Horacio Zeballos the doubles heroes that banked the win.
Hungary pulled degree earlier than Jurij Rodionov took the deciding singles win over Marton Fucsovics to present Austria a 3-2 victory.
In Osijek, Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic gave hosts Croatia hope of a well-known comeback in opposition to France with a doubles victory over Benjamin Bonzi and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
However Davis Cup debutant Corentin Moutet accomplished the job for France with a 7-5, 6-4 overcome Marin Cilic that clinched the tie 3-1.
