MALAGA, Spain (AFP) — Australia produced a stunning comeback to beat the Czech Republic, 2-1, and set up a Davis Cup semifinal clash with Finland.
Last year’s runners-up almost crashed out in the Last Eight but Alex de Minaur pulled Australia back from the brink by beating Jiri Lehecka 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 in the second singles rubber.
The world No. 12 levelled the tie after Tomas Machac defeated Jordan Thompson 6-4, 7-5 in the opening battle and forced a deciding rubber, won by Wimbledon 2022 doubles champions Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell.
They defeated the returning Lehecka and Adam Pavlasek 6-4, 7-5 on a rollercoaster night for the team with the second most Davis Cup wins in the competition’s history, 28, behind only the United States.
Despite their rich history Australia have not won the competition since 2003 and looked set for elimination with Lehecka serving for the tie against De Minaur, who dug deep to find a new level to keep his country’s dream alive.
“I just told myself to keep fighting, keep playing till the last point, you never know, sometimes you get your chances,” De Minaur said.
“I got a little sniff, I was able to roll with it.”
“I think my reputation kind of is quite strong when it comes to these types of situations, it kind of precedes me — maybe I won that match because of that today.”
The only time the Czech Republic have beaten Australia in 10 clashes was in 1975, but the three-time champions came extremely close in Malaga.
“We were one game from going home, for him to fight back and win that match is one of the best comebacks I’ve ever seen,” Ebden said.
Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt has been one of the most critical of the controversial updated Davis Cup format which began in 2019, and Green and Gold fans were outnumbered by Czech supporters at the Martin Carpena arena.
Over two-thirds of seats were filled, although the atmosphere could not match surprise package Finland’s win over reigning champions Canada on Tuesday, willed to life by a few thousand noisy Nordic fans.
Machac, 23, slapped a forehand winner down-the-line to break Thompson in the first game and it was enough to secure him the first set.
The second was just as tight and when Machac broke for 5-4, Thompson immediately battled back to pull level, breaking the Czech for the first time in the match.
Machac broke again though with a passing shot and clinched the match with another forehand winner.
“I only got one break and it was an absolute battle to get it,” a disappointed Thompson said.
