Australia pips France in a nail-biter at 2024 Davis Cup Finals
Thanasi Kokkinakis beat Arthur Fils in straight sets as Ugo Humbert’s success against Alexei Popyrin went in vain
Thanasi Kokkinakis (Credit: Imago/Panoramic)
Australia opened their 2024 Davis Cup Finals campaign with a thrilling victory over France at Pabellon Fuente de San Luis in Valencia, Spain, on Tuesday. The world No 78 Thanasi Kokkinakis and the doubles duo of Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell made winning contributions to Australia’s success.
Kokkinakis survived two tiebreakers against world No 25 Arthur Fils in the Group B encounter’s first tie. He saved a total of seven break points to beat the Frenchman 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) in the nail-biter that extended beyond two hours.
In the second tie, world No 18 Ugo Humbert stepped up to delay the Australian victory. He overcame world No 24 Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-2 in a little over 70 minutes on the back of three break points and 21 winners.
Humbert’s effort meant it all boiled down to the doubles duel, where the French hopes rested on Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. But the pair failed to get over the line despite an inspired effort in the second set, where they saved a match point and then forced the decider against Ebden and Purcell.
However, the Australian pair hung tough in the third set and walked away with a 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 result to put their team on top of the Group B standings.
Australia will next face Czechia in another Group B meeting whereas France’s next challenge is Spain.
“We’ve got a lot of options and great depth” – Thanasi Kokkinakis
Thanasi Kokkinakis notably replaced the injured Alex de Minaur in the Australian contingent led by former world No 1 Lleyton Hewitt. After his win over Fils, Kokkinakis extended his gratitude to Hewitt for picking him in De Minaur’s absence.
“Obviously we’ve got a lot of options and great depth at the moment, so I still wasn’t sure if I’d get the call-up. I’m happy that Lleyton trusted me to go in there and do the job,” he said.
“We had to try put up a couple of wins for him [Alex de Minaur]. He’s injured and can’t play, but is still here supporting. It’s good to have him here, even if it’s just on the sidelines,” Kokkinakis added.
De Minaur was instrumental to Australia’s campaign at the 2023 Davis Cup, where they finished second best to Jannik Sinner-powered Italy.
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