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2024 Davis Cup semi-final: Italy too good to end Australia’s hopes of winning this prestigious trophy courtesy of both Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner

by Sports Benches

First of all, it wasn’t the series the Aussies wanted in this Davis Cup semi-final v Italy again – who previously defeated them last time round during the Final last year & did so once again last night – after seeing both of our singles players Thanasi Kokkinakis and Alex De Minaur being run down 2-0 by their own opponents in Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner.

But this is something we should be proud of at the end of the day with our head held high. We were oh close following that brilliant first set tiebreak mini win to begin with from Kokkanikis before he just couldn’t hang in there through the end over the best of three on what has been an excellent Berrettini comeback. 

Also, that Sinner and De Minaur match was extremely difficult to watch either when Sinner right now is our next generation version of Roger Federer from Switzerland today, has won both grand slams in 2024 both at the Australian and US Open & he too has done in straight sets – shame it was a non-starter for Alex there.  All eyes on Alex though if he can make the last 8 again but this time it has to be at Melbourne Park, although it depends on which opponents he will take on soon.

And if Kokkanikis did hold on to at least one of the singles’ match wins, then Matt Ebden and Jordan Thompson could’ve been there to give ourselves another shot at the Davis Cup crown for the Final when it comes to the reserved doubles match tie. 

But with Italy already wrapped up 2-0 without the need of doubles, looks like they are now set to defend their title once again this time v Netherlands tonight from 11pm AEDT only on BeIn Sports and not 9Gem.

So I guess with the new format around the corner for next year’s Davis Cup, it seems Australia would be back in action very early with the first round qualifiers straight after the Australian Open – unless they can be the host nation for that second round for September, which would normally be held in Europe, I assume.

This shouldn’t be too much of an issue though as sure they can continue to keep on rolling and who knows if the Aussies will be back in the Davis Cup Final again someday? Hopefully, they can finally be able to lift that historic trophy once more.

For now, onto the United Cup in little over a month’s time then here comes the three-week home grand slam come early January 2025 across Melbourne Park.

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2024 Davis Cup Group-Stage Week: Matt Ebden & Max Purcell saves the day for the Aussies thanks to their doubles-deciding win over France with 2-1 in this 1st match tie 

by Sports Benches

Gotta say it has been a great finish to the 1st of the three Davis Cup 2024 group stage series matches for the Aussies v France from overnight in Valencia, Spain. Thanasi Kokkinakis got away with a pretty good start when he was simply at the top of his game v Arthur Fils in straight sets, even though this opening singles game wasn’t so easy indeed – 7-6 via 7-4 tiebreak & 7-6 via 7-3 tiebreak. Although in the second singles match, Ugo Humbert was too good for Alexei Popyrin also in straight sets (3-6 & 2-6) which was so unfortunate where Humbert tied with the Aussies at 1-1 apiece for France.

But this tie wasn’t over just yet with the doubles match to settle v the French featuring one of the Paris 2024 men’s double Olympic gold medalist Matt Ebden & one of the new US Open men’s double champ Max Purcell going up against Pierre Hueges Herbert & Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Fortunately, Ebden & Purcell saved the day thanks to our best doubles playing strikeforce as seen regularly across the grand slam tournaments and team group circuit.

They fired off really well where there were some bumps along the way when it comes to the second set but eventually found a way to close out though with the 2-1 series win v France. The final score was 7-5, 5-7 & 6-3 as the Aussies are now onto the 2nd of three series ties in Group B v Czech Republic on Friday morning. Then they will do the best they can possible depending on other results to finish off the group stage weekend on Monday morning v one of the top-ranked sides in Spain.

All they have to do is keep on fighting as another series win would see them one step closer towards locking in that November Finals week spot where the final eight teams will be competing for that one prestigious silverware & no doubt we’d like to have it back this time around after back-to-back recent Final attempts like last year and the year before (in 2022).

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Olympics Tennis News: Super Saturday at Court Phillipe Chatrier with both the men’s doubles final as Matt Ebden & John Peers won gold including the women’s singles final

by Sports Benches

What a Final it was at Court Phillipe Chatrier as Matt Ebden and John Peers are now Olympic champions in the Men’s Doubles Final over Team USA’s duo of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram out of a tight three set contest. The last time Australia won a gold medal there at an Olympics level was back in Atlanta in 1996 by both Todd Woodbridge & Mark Woodforde. Now fast forward to 28 years, Australia finally got their first gold medal in the 21st century for Tennis thanks to the superstar doubles duo of Ebden & Peers.

It wasn’t the easiest of starts when Ebden and Peers were behind earlier on, even though they had some fair share of battles before Team USA locked themselves in with the 1st set lead. But the game wasn’t over just yet when they began to turn themselves around from the set down & that paid off big time where they kept on going by putting their opponents under pressure until the very end. Now they might have almost lost 3 out of 4 gold medal points but at least that crucial final serve was good enough to see off both Krajicek and Ram for the gold medal win.

Commiserations from Krajicek and Ram whom they played oh so well off the back of a good headstart to stay ahead of Ebden and Peers. They never gave them an easy run for sure but they did however have slipped away at times following the 1-0 set lead where the final set best of ten tiebreak decider has been activated by Australia before Peers had the last say for the final serve for that gold medal point.

And how good was China Qinwen Zheng who finally got her breakthrough that may not be exactly at a grand slam at this stage but at least she won a gold medal at the Roland Garros with the straight sets (6-2 & 6-3) win over Croatia’s Donna Vekic. She too had a powerful first set performance while Zheng took her time well v the improving Vekic as the match goes on before she stood her ground that made her an Olympics champion for China. Sure she has unfinished ahead and that will be winning a grand slam after she fell short to Aryna Sabalenka back in late January of this year at Melbourne Park.

On Vekic, it wasn’t the match she wanted when she fired off not bad on both sets including some progress from the opening set down. But just couldn’t catch up nor found the long run consistency to put Zheng under pressure. She did make Croatia proud though as Vekic collected the silver medal ahead of Iga Swiatek from Poland who won bronze v Anna Karolína Schmiedlová from Slovakia (6-2 & 6-1).

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Olympics News: China’s Qinwen Zheng def. The Queen of Clay Iga Swiatek in straight sets en route to an Olympic Women’s Tennis Final

by Sports Benches

The Queen of Clay from Poland Iga Swiatek won’t be able to add another major honour other than her successive Roland Garros trophies in the Olympics gold medal this time around following her straight sets loss in the women’s singles semi-final v China’s Qinwen Zheng, who was also runner-up at the 2024 Australian Open Final back in January to Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, 2-6 & 5-7. She didn’t have a great start earlier on and although she did the best possible to keep that semi alive so Iga can activate that 3rd set decider, but it wasn’t meant to be when Zheng found a way to shut her down towards the end.

I don’t know when the next Olympics tennis tournament will be on clay but probably not for another long while like for a few decades unfortunately in which she may be well and truly reaching retirement by then. What she can do though is at least finish off on a high when it comes to the Bronze Medal Match this weekend v the losing player from the other semi-final.

We’ll see how that goes between Anna Karolina Schmiedlova from Slovakia v Croatian Donna Vekic who defeated NZ’s Lulu Sun during the Wimbledon Quarter-Final last month.

And how good was Qinwen Zheng with that magnificent performance in the hope of now winning her first major title that may not be a grand slam honour just yet but at least a Olympic Games Gold Medal would be nice to take home. She had an easy first set and while she had some challenges along the way that is going to make or break when being tested against the Queen of Clay (Iga Swiatek), she too never gave up with plenty of fight to hold Iga back and that was one thing Zheng pulled off well by seeing light at the end of the tunnel on what has been another of her best plays today. Now she’s ready to bring home an Olympics gold medal for China which she could be the first one to do so as a singles player and the last time China won a medal in Tennis was Li Ting & Sun Tiantian during the women’s doubles tournament exactly 20 years back in Athens.

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2024 Billie Jean King Cup Tennis qualifier, Australia too good for Mexico in Brisbane as they became the first team to book in for November’s 12-team Finals in Seville, Spain

by Sports Benches

It’s been an excellent two days from the Australian Billie Jean King Cup team who were too good for Mexico in Brisbane as they became the first team to lock into November’s 12-team Playoff finals that will take place in Seville, Spain. We thought Mexico had the upper hand in the opening singles tie thanks to a great opening set spell by Giuliana Olmos before Arina Rodionova turned herself around with a 1-1 all lead going into the decider before she quickly completed an amazing comeback that lasted just over the two hour mark 3-6, 6-3 and 6-1. Then Daria Saville finished off Friday quicksmart in under an an hour against Marcela Zacarias 6-1, 6-1 where the Aussies only need one more tie to wrap up this five-tie contest.

Come Saturday today, enter 18-year-old Taylah Preston from Perth into the fray against Zacarias once again thanks to team captain Sam Stosur. Although it’s heartbreaking to hear the opponent having to suffer an injury as hope this isn’t too series, but Preston has stood out really well also in straight sets (6-1, 6-1). With that being said, there was no need for another singles tie since Australia already won this qualifier so a finals doubles tie was brought forward as Saville played once again alongside Ellen Perez v Maria Navarro and Jessica Hinjosa Gomez. Great to see Mexico add some spice earlier on but this was a match Australia wanted to make the most out of as if they’re playing in the Finals week today with another straight sets win 6-3, 6-1.

The only blow we’ve learnt from this two-day qualifier that Storm Hunter hurt her achilles earlier this week and unfortunately she won’t be playing at the Paris Olympics later this year. She’s so good in the doubles with Matt Ebden earlier this year in the United Cup while going as far as the 3rd round at the Australian Open including a fairytale 2nd round United Cup semi-final revenge win v Laura Siegemund before she was run down from 1-0 up by Barbora Krejcikova from Czech Republic. For Saville, she still has a long way to go having now been the best ranked Australian women’s singles player recently as a great run on clay at Roland Garros next month or a Wimbledon breakthrough will back up her goal of returning Top 20. And lastly, here’s hoping we have our next grand slam star in Taylah Preston after the now-retired Ash Barty who attended the game inside the hospitality box with her baby son and former player Casey Dellacqua. She had a brilliant game as said against the experienced Zacarias, having known a bit more about Mexico well after she made it all the way to the Final two months ago in the Mexican WTA 125 tournament before she fell short to USA’s McCartney Kessler despite holding a close opening set lead. Look out for her in the years ahead who has amazing potential to win lots of trophies including grand slams. For now, Roll out the next grand slam on the Tennis calendar come late next month to early June for the Roland Garros (French Open) in Paris, France.

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Tennis News, Thanasi Kokkinakis has just helped Australia clinch a 2022 Davis Cup finals berth after he defeated Zsombor Piros in straight sets

by Sports Benches

Thanasi Kokkinakis has done it for Australia having just defeated Zsombor Piros in straight sets, Australia just wrapped up a 3-2 series win following the best of five match-ups v Hungary in the 2022 Davis Cup Qualifiers at Ken Rosewall Arena. That means Australia has now punched their ticket for the Finals later this year, where they join 17 other qualified teams to battle it out for the Davis Cup title.

Kokkinakis was relieved to come out unscathed following a close battle with Piros for the whole time that determined the series result for his country, Australia. He fired off well with the early lead, then he was tested on occasions where Piros fought back as this deciding tie goes on. However, it’s all about persistence, having taken his time wisely thanks to the first set lead advantage, that helped Kokkinakis play a huge part in Australia’s series decider win v Hungary.

Meanwhile, Piros would be disappointed with the loss even though he has been a great opponent to face. We love how he made up some lost time during the second-half run in each spell, having almost brought in the tiebreaker that can give him an extended shot to try & stay in this game. He left it too late when Piros lacked the first-half momentum & fell behind along the way, in which he was let down in this area while trying to hold back Kokkinakis.

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Tennis News, Alex De Minaur levels 2-2 for Australia with one deciding tie to spare after he overcame a competitive singles duel v Marton Fucsovics

by Sports Benches

Wow! How good is Alex De Minaur! He just defeated Marton Fucsovics in such terrific fashion after a tight encounter with a straight-sets win at Ken Rosewall Arena, as Australia level 2-2 v Hungary with the 5th and deciding singles tie left to go.

Both players played so well when they were neck in neck for that opening set lead, but De Minaur got there first via the tiebreaker before he overcame another tough duel & held off Fucsovics that wowed the home crowd supporters by his side.

Final Score: 7-6 via 7-4 tiebreaker, 6-4

Fucsovics didn’t get the win he deserves through two hours of play on the court today v De Minaur. He got the build-up base going where the Hungarian was on the same page as the Aussie for the whole time, which helped him stay on top of his game. He just couldn’t group himself when Fucsovics was under immense pressure while trying to overtake & hold off De Minaur, and De Minaur spotted his one huge weakness that saw the Australian escape in both sets.

And going back to De Minaur, it’s incredible to see him save Australia’s hopes alive in their 2022 Davis Qualifier v Hungary on home soil after four ties out of five. He never gave up with so much fight under his belly, having been on the same page as Fucsovics. It gave him some time to get on top of his opponent before De Minaur re-setted the momentum via the tiebreak, got himself past the opening set & persisted in that fight, as Australian No.1 was able to maintain his path towards victory.

Australia is turning their attention to Thanasi Kokkinakis for the 5th and deciding tie v Zsombor Piros right now, with the Davis Cup Finals place up for grabs later this year if Kokkinakis can wrap up a 3-2 series win.

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Hungary lead Australia 2-1 in the 2022 Davis Cup Qualifiers after Fabian Marozsan & Mate Valkusz just defeated John Peers & Luke Saville in straight sets

by Sports Benches

W ow! We just saw Fabian Marozsan & Mate Valkusz upset Australia’s John Peers and Luke Saville in this solitary doubles match-up, as Hungary now leads 2-1 in the 2022 Davis Cup Qualifiers with two singles games left at Ken Rosewall Arena.

It was a tight game though when both countries were side by side for the opening set lead, but it’s Hungary who got ahead and held back Australia going into the second set before they kept the momentum, found the homestretch & wrapped it up in straight sets (4-6, 4-6).

Commiserations for Peers and Saville when they fought back a few games in a bid to stay in contention. However, a poor start saw them fall behind where they just couldn’t find a way past Hungary, while leaving out to hold back Marozsan/Valkusz until the last minute in both sets.

And hats off to Marozsan and Valkusz for their persistence against these two experienced opponents. They simply focused on one thing at a time that reflected Hungary’s 1st set lead earlier on v Peers/Saville. It gave them some time and patience to hold the Aussies off defensively, as it puts them on a confidence booster going into the second set where Marozsan/Valkusz wrapped up this game with the win.

Next up is Alex De Minaur v Marton Fucsovics in this 4th of 5th match-up between Australia v Hungary. De Minaur desperately needs a win if Australia was to level 2-2 going into the fifth and final singles match today (Thanasi Kokkinakis v Zsombor Piros) in the 2022 Davis Cup Qualifiers.

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Tennis News, Marton Fucsovics levels Australia 1-1 for Hungary after Day 1 of the 2022 Davis Cup Qualifiers at Ken Rosewall Arena

by Sports Benches

Hungary has just fought back v Australia 1-1 in the 2022 Davis Cup Qualifiers after Day 1 tonight at Ken Rosewall Arena. Good start from Marton Fucsovics and Thanasi Kokkinakis, where both players fought very hard during a very competitive first set that went down the wire via the tiebreak. Fucsovics won that tiebreak and led 1-0 going into the second set, but Kokkinakis fought back comfortably at 1-1 apiece, with this match-up not over yet towards the third and final set decider. In the end, Fucsovics managed to find his way past Kokkinakis and held him off with the win for his country, Hungary.

Final Score: 6-7 via 4-6 tiebreaker, 6-1, 3-6.

Unlucky for Kokkinakis, who did well to catch up Fucsovics & not give him a free run. He fired the pressure well back to his opponent, especially in the 2nd set that reflected his fightback, as it gave him another chance to redeem himself ahead of the final set spell. But it’s not just his night tonight when Kokkinakis struggled to overtake & hold off Fucsovics, where Fucsovics exposed him in the opening set tiebreak & 3rd set decider, and that sums up his loss in this match-up.

Meanwhile, brilliant play by Fucsovics with the win in this second singles tie v Kokkinakis for Hungary. He did well to move past his opponent earlier on and took his time while leading, where Fucsovics overcame Kokkinakis during the 1st set tiebreak. Now he may have missed the chance to close out in straight sets when he was tied 1-1 after the second set, but Fucsovics knew one thing Kokkinakis wasn’t good at where the Hungarian eventually beat him to the punch, which is taking over and holding off the lead.

Two matches gone, three to go tomorrow with one doubles tie plus two more singles games up for grabs in the best of five in the 2022 Davis Cup Qualifiers, between Australia v Hungary at Ken Rosewall Arena.

Tomorrow’s schedule from 1 pm

Doubles: John Peers & Luke Saville for Australia v Marton Fucsovics & Fabian Marozsan.

Two Singles matches: Alex De Minaur (Australia) v Marton Fucsovics (Hungary), Thanasi Kokkinakis (Australia) v Zsombor Piros (Hungary).

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