By Ricky Dimon
The United States and Australia will be facing each other in the Davis Cup competition for the second time in as many years when they meet again during quarterfinal action this week. Interestingly, it will be the second consecutive contest between the two countries that is being hosted by Australia.
This agreement dates back to the late 1990s, when the two sides played two straight Davis Cup ties in the U.S.A. After facing each other in 1997, they met again two years later when the ITF staged a tie at the Longwood Cricket Club in Chestnut Hills, Mass.–the site of the first-ever Davis Cup tie–as a 100th anniversary celebration. Now the two nations are playing twice in a row in Australia.
Last season, the Americans went into Melbourne and picked up a 3-1 victory in a first-round showdown on grass. John Isner won both of his singles rubbers, first at the expense of Sam Groth and then the clincher two days later over Bernard Tomic. Bob and Mike Bryan prevailed in a five-set doubles rubber, beating Lleyton Hewitt and John Peers.
Both squads will look different this time around. The Bryans recently announced their retirement from Davis Cup, so the United States has four traditional singles players at their disposal–all of whom are also capable in doubles. Joining Isner on the current team are Jack Sock, Steve Johnson, and Sam Querrey. For the Australians, Hewitt is now a non-playing captain and Tomic is in no kind of form to be a member of the foursome. Peers will play doubles with Groth, while Nick Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson are slated in the singles spots.
This quarterfinal tie is being staged on a hard court at Patrick Rafter Arena in Brisbane, site of the Brisbane International held every year in January.
“Everything’s going really well at the moment–according to plan,” Hewitt said of the Australian team. “Obviously, guys (are) coming in at different times and (I’m) trying to manage everyone individually, but I couldn’t be happier at the moment with how the boys are jelling together. Obviously, a guy like Nick’s played a lot of matches, so it’s about just keeping that momentum and rhythm. He’s hitting the ball really well. We feel comfortable where he’s at, and the other boys have hardly put a foot wrong since we’ve [been] here.”
“We got five tough matches in front of us,” Team USA captain Jim Courier commented. “We’re here, ready to battle. We know they’re ready to battle, too, but we had a fun time with them last year battling at Kooyong. It’s another opportunity here at Rafter Arena. We’re ready.”
The Americans have faced the Aussies more times than any country in its Davis Cup history, holding a 26-20 all-time mark in a rivalry that dates back to 1905.
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