De Minaur keeps Australia alive with vintage comeback against Lehecka at Davis Cup
Alex de Minaur rallied from the brink on multiple occasions to keep Australia alive vs Czechia at Davis Cup
Alex de Minaur 2023 Davis Cup Malaga | Manu Fernandez/AP/SIPA
The man that has the number “109” emblazoned on his left breast does not take Davis Cup lightly. Nor will he ever. “109” in black permanent ink signifies the dynamic Aussie’s chronological place in the long line of Aussie heroes that have contributed to the green and gold’s historic Davis Cup legacy that has resulted in 28 titles.
On court he embodies that spirit to perfection.
Faced with an in-flow Jiri Lehecka on Thursday in Malaga, De Minaur rallied for a 4-6, 7-6(2), 7-5 win to send Australia and Czechia to a deciding third rubber in their Davis Cup quarter-final.
The winner will face Finland in the semi-finals on Friday.
Cool in the clutch
De Minaur was up against the brink with Lehecka serving for the win at 6-4, 5-4, but he broke to love and took the second set in a tiebreak.
In the third set, De Minaur squandered an early break and was again in hot water when he served at 2-3, love-40.
Somehow he found away to hold serve and win five of the final seven games for the hard-earned triumph.
How?
De Minaur the Davis Cup stalwart
“I don’t know, I guess it’s part of my identity,” De Minaur said. “Ultimately it’s always going to be tough, you’re going to be in very dark places here in matches, but maybe I’ve got that reputation of never giving up – I’m competing til the end.”
De Minaur has won eight of his last nine at Davis Cup, and he improves to 14-6 overall in Davis Cup singles matches.
Matt Ebden and Max Purcell will face Lehecka and Adam Pavlasek in deciding doubles at 2145 Malaga time on Wednesday.
Thanks to De Minaur’s heroics, belief runs high for the Aussies, who are bidding for their first Davis Cup title since 2003.
“We play with a lot of pride and a lot of passion,” De Minaur said. “This is the Australian Davis Cup team – we’re very proud to represent Australia.”
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