And here’s Kevin Mitchell’s match report from Ken Rosewall Arena:
Well, there’s not much left to say. An utterly thrilling end to what has been a fine advertisement for this competition today. With entertainment you’d have to be a curmudgeon not to have enjoyed it.
Australia are through to a Saturday semi-final with either Belgium or Spain, who play next up on Ken Rosewall Arena. But for now, from me, that’s all I can take. Thanks for joining today. Look out for Kevin Mitchell’s match report from Sydney which will be online shortly. Bye for now.
“That was the most stressful tie-breaker I’ve ever been involved in,” says Kyrgios. “I’ll definitely be having a couple of red wines tonight.”
De Minaur jokes that Kyrgios “blatantly carried me out there” following his narrow three-and-a-half-hour loss to Dan Evans not half an hour prior.
Kyrgios quips: “Not at all, he just needs a bit of guidance. He gets down on himself really easily and I just tried to keep him positive.”
The bromance is complete.
Quite how De Minaur pulled through that one is anyone’s guess. But he did, and Lleyton Hewitt’s last-minute decision to change his doubles line-up pays off in spades. The presumably knackered De Minaur and Kyrgios are cock-a-hoop in the post-match interview.
An extraordinary end to this quarter-final. Fair play to Kyrgios and De Minaur – they quickly get up off the ground to congratulate Murray and Salisbury at the net, and after celebrating with the joyous Australian bench, head over to their British counterparts to offer their commiserations.
Australia beat Great Britain 3-6, 6-3, 18-16 (Australia win tie 2-1)
Match tie-break: Australia 18-16 Great Britain Groans ring out as Kyrgios finds the net on his first serve on another Australian match point now, but those groans turn to rapturous cheers soon after as Kyrgios and De Minaur finally seal victory! There’s a brief challenge, which comes to naught, and once confirmed, the two Australian players fall in a heap on the ground!
Match tie-break: Australia 16-16 Great Britain De Minaur can only find the net and Britain, with the ball in Murray’s hand, have another chance to close this out. Guess what? We’re still going. De Minaur delivers a ferocious return to level things up once again. Come on!
Match tie-break: Australia 15-15 Great Britain Salisbury must serve to keep GB in the match once again now, and he pulls a huge serve right out of the top drawer – Kyrgios cannot return and the momentum is with Britain! A third match point follows... De Minaur serves.... it returned out. This is getting ridiculous.
Match tie-break: Australia 13-13 Great Britain It’s Salisbury’s turn now to play the villain as he smashes long, handing Australia a third chance to secure victory. Kyrgios to serve... not taken! De Minaur’s volley goes into the net - a rather tired shot.
Match tie-break: Australia 12-12 Great Britain Murray has a glorious chance to wrap things up but he’s long with a forehand at the net! He holds his head in his hands and well he might as Kyrgios swings the pendulum in Australia’s favour once again on the next point, delivering a leaping backhand smash to bring up their own match point! Thrilling stuff – there’s a reason why match tie-breaks are used. Saved, again. Back to 12-12.
Match tie-break: Australia 10-11 Great Britain Match point is saved on Britain’s serve and we go once again... Salisbury’s second serve at 10-10 is superb and Kyrgios’s return is well wide. Match point for GB...
Match tie-break: Australia 10-9 Great Britain Kyrgios serves again - his first is out but with the ball in play on the second, he fires an unanswerable forehand winner down the line to bring up a match point for Australia!
Match tie-break: Australia 9-9 Great Britain Match point for GB... but Kyrgios pulls out a monster serve just when it is needed and Australia live to fight another day. There needs to be a cushion of two points for a winner to be declared.
Match tie-break: Australia 8-8 Great Britain And Britain level at 8-8 after Murray finally, gleefully, puts away a volley at the net! Remember it’s first to 10...
Match tie-break: Australia 8-7 Great Britain Kyrgios is wild with one return which flies out at the baseline, and the visitors creep back into it once again. The tension in the crowd is palpable. And before too long we’re back on serve as Britain launch a gutsy fightback!
Match tie-break: Australia 7-4 Great Britain Kyrgios wins his service point but De Minaur can’t return Murray’s next serve and Britain have a way back into this. Salisbury finishes off at the net after Murray’s next serve to claw further back into it, but Australia edge further ahead as De Minaur’s volley is hit straight into Murray.
Updated
Match tie-break: Australia 4-2 Great Britain So here we go. A final match tie break in the third rubber to settle who advances into Saturday’s semi-final. It doesn’t get more dramatic that this. And it’s the Australians who delight the home crowd as they edge ahead.
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Second set: Australia* 3-6 6-3 Great Britain (*denotes server): They say sometimes doing nothing is the best thing. Kyrgios watches a long-looking shot sail through the air. De Minaur, at the net, leaves it for his deeper-lying partner, and Kyrgios expertly allows it to drop just outside the baseline. De Minaur then delivers a delightful drop volley and Australia level the ledger. A match tie break to settle a place in the semi-finals against either Rafa’s Spain or Belgium (likely the former).
Updated
Second set: Australia 3-6 5-3 *Great Britain (*denotes server): GB are ahead 30-15 and Murray faults his service to De Minaur. His second lands wide and his receiver skews it even wider - too wide for the line on the other side of the court. Then Kyrgios fluffs the next return and gets ready to serve for the second set.
Second set: Australia* 3-6 5-2 Great Britain (*denotes server): De Minaur is serving. He swings one out wide and rediverts Murray’s return low and down the line. Salisbury attempts to catch it with the edge of his racquet to no avail. De Minaur is perky, sprightly even. How can this be so after his marathon exertions of today? It matters not, for Australia are in the box seat and Murray must serve to keep GB in the second set.
Second set: Australia* 3-6 4-2 Great Britain (*denotes server): Kyrgios resists the urge to pound a return at the net, instead opting for a heavily spun forehand down the tramlines. De Minaur has a similar reply to Salisbury’s next serve with a shot along the opposite side and it’s 0-30. They trade points to 30-40 and Salisbury serves a let, and then a good one that prompts a wide-ranging, high-pressure rally which ends on an anti-climax via a GB error.
Second set: Australia* 3-6 3-2 Great Britain (*denotes server): Australia are starting to find a way around the Great Wall of Britain. There has to be a Trump joke in there somewhere. Kyrgios lets loose a big serve and de Minaur smacks the return so hard it’s uncatchable. De Minaur hustles thrice to block quickfire volleys, and the collective display of reflex is astounding. But it’s not enough to stop Britain breaking back.
Second set: Australia 3-6 3-1 Great Britain* (*denotes server): Britain get off the mark and we’re back to Kyrgios’ serve.
When you get an early break ...
Flying Aussies ✈️@alexdeminaur @NickKyrgios #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/ZKgNzPpQ8M
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 9, 2020
Second set: Australia* 3-6 3-0 Great Britain (*denotes server): A soft Murray return to de Minaur’s second serve makes easy pickings for Kyrgios. De Minaur is struggling to place his first serves but he manages one while up 40-15 - even if they do lose the point. The next one is simple and serve is held.
Second set: Australia 3-6 2-0 Great Britain* (*denotes server): Murray belts another smashed volley and it’s 30-15, but Australia make it 30-30 and then Kyrgios makes Salisbury run, first out wide and then back the other way as Murray simultaneously makes a rare mistake at the net. Then, unbelievably, he makes another as Australia patiently prodded away through a lengthy rally. A valuable break to get the hosts back in this match.
Second set: Australia* 3-6 1-0 Great Britain (*denotes server): In the first set Murray and Salisbury hit 15 winners and two unforced errors. Not bad at all. That said, Australia hold here to love.
First set: Australia 3-6 Great Britain* (*denotes server): After a frenetic green-and-gold start, the first set belongs to Team GB. Nothing is breaching the British forecourt fortress and a frustrated Kyrgios whips one into the net. Is captain Lleyton Hewitt’s selection backflip looking so wise now?
First set: Australia* 3-5 Great Britain (*denotes server): The Brits are targeting de Minaur’s serve. Australia go down -30 after Salisbury returns with interest and the Demon swipes high and wide. Salisbury is a monster at the net. Impenetrable. He improves on his next serve, not so quick but placed with sufficient authority to put Murray off and force an error. Murray is more alert the next time around and he steers a top-spinner down the tramlines and out of reach as de Minaur drops a second service game with only a point won.
Updated
First set: Australia 3-4 Great Britain* (*denotes server): Murray is doing well on his first serve, and GB are soon up 40-15 as de Minaur’s return is punished by Salisbury at the net. The Aussies rally to 40-30 but that’s all they’ve got.
First set: Australia* 3-3 Great Britain (*denotes server): Kyrgios holds his serve to love in less than a minute. Up 40-0, he whispers to de Minaur behind the two balls in his claws, undoubtedly tactics. He doesn’t need them, for his final serve is too much.
First set: Australia 2-3 Great Britain* (*denotes server): For the first time in this first set Britain are in front. They steal this game to love, de Minaur thrashing a serve into the net.
First set: Australia* 2-2 Great Britain (*denotes server): The Brits come forward and hunt in a pair at the net, smothering Australia’s attempts to play their baseline game. They’re up 40-15 and Kyrgios and de Minaur are switching spots, getting the runaround as Murray and Salisbury ping volley after volley. The Brits break back and show they won’t be overawed.
First set: Australia 2-1 Great Britain* (*denotes server): GB can’t let this game slip. Australia are hyped up and firing on all cylinders and a double break may as well mean ceding the set. This is a must-hold game, and hold they do.
First set: Australia* 2-0 Great Britain (*denotes server): Down 0-30, Kyrgios serves and maintains the aggression. His partner is at the net to put away the reply and Team GB capitulate.
First set: Australia 1-0 Great Britain* (*denotes server): Well well. Any concerns about the endurance of de Minaur can be put to bed right away. Three quickfire winners from the Demon and Australia have already broken GB.
They player are out warming up and we have another email, this time from James Evans. Yes, before you ask, there is a relation.
“Will most definitely be following the below, after witnessing an epic match by Dan, my nephew,” he writes. “That win should see him back in Dubai next month.”
At the very least, he’s now resting, which is more than we can say about de Minaur. Call it youthful exuberance, but he’s about to put himself through it all again.
GB have won the toss and elected to serve. Here we go.
The deciding doubles rubber is coming right up. Plenty of eyebrows are being raised by Lleyton Hewitt’s selection u-turn; having Kyrgios in his current mood back on court will at the very least be entertaining.
This 👏 point 👏 had 👏 it 👏 all#ATPCup | #Final8 | #GBRAUS pic.twitter.com/qpXgwSWr1a
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 9, 2020
An email! “Evenin’ Emma! I imagine it’s just me out here,” writes Adam Hirst in Rio. “Great effort from Evans there… great match all round really… and that win puts him at 31 in the live rankings, so into the top 32 for Melbourne possibly! Still some way to go to confirm it, other players below still playing in tournaments… but being seeded for that would be a boost.”
Peers is ranked 25 in the world in doubles and was the 2017 Australian Open men’s doubles champion. Just saying.
Well, well, well. How about this? Australia have decided to switch up their doubles team:
🚨 🇦🇺 #TeamAustralia doubles nomination update 🚨@alexdeminaur and @NickKyrgios are replacing Chris Guccione and John Peers.#ATPCup | #Final8 | #GBRAUS
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 9, 2020
The wisdom of that will become apparent before too long, but how on earth can De Minaur back up after his exertions over the past three and a half hours? Seems crazy!
Well that was one of the more remarkable matches you’ll see, period. Tremendous endorsement for the ATP Cup. Dan Evans and Alex de Minaur battled for nearly three and a half hours. The final set alone was 82 minutes. The former can claim bragging rights but both well and truly gave everything.
Here’s what Evans had to say of an Australian opponent who pushed him all the way: He’s higher than me in the rankings. He’s a better player than me. This is what team competition is about. It’s a great rivalry and great support.”
It’s all on the line now in the doubles where Jamie Murray & Joe Salisbury will take on Chris Guccione & John Peers, with the prospect of a semi-final match-up against Rafael Nadal’s Spain, the tournament favourites and recent Davis Cup winners.
Evans beats De Minaur 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 (Australia 1-1 Great Britain)
Third set tie-break: Evans* 7-2 de Minaur (*denotes server): It’s Evans’ fifth match point and a let forces another go at his first serve. De Minaur wallops the ball out and that’s that. After all the drama and emotion, the finish is almost confusing, anti-climactic. There’s a split-second before Evans realises he’s done it. Then it’s game, set and match. Thoroughly deserved.
Updated
Third set tie-break: Evans 5-2 de Minaur* (*denotes server): Henman told him to go for the forehand but it’s a monster backhand that brings Evans to 4-2. And he makes a mockery of de Minaur’s serve, sending him one way and flicking the other. This is looking very much like Team GB’s match now.
Third set tie-break: Evans 3-2 de Minaur* (*denotes server): De Minaur is already down 2-0 in the tie-break but with a flourish and a short drop shot he’s back to 2-1.
Third set: Evans 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 6-6 de Minaur* (*denotes server): Four match points saved! Pressure is all on de Minaur now. Hold serve and claim set and match, and Australia progress through to the semi-finals. Drop this game and Team GB level with the doubles to play. De Minaur is 15-30 down and lashing hard, flat shots in quick succession before approaching the net for a volley and ... can’t scoop it over. But the Australian counters a deep Evans forehand with a backhand that saves one match point, then two via a pile-driver of a forehand to draw level at deuce. Evans doesn’t back down, driving an aggressive volley down court followed by a put-away for a third match point. Seconds later it’s a third match point saves. The pendulum swings again as a de Minaur error gifts Evans a fourth match point. He aces. Saves a fourth. Lets out a roar. Back to deuce. Evans misplaces a down-the-line backhand. Advantage Australia. De Minaur catches the net but the ball doesn’t go over. Deuce. De Minaur faults, then goes for it on the second serve to the point the man in the black down the other end has no response. Advantage Australia. And just when we thought this epic could produce no more, the 20-year-old nails a cross-court winner to hold serve. We’re going to a tie-break.
Third set: Evans* 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 6-5 de Minaur (*denotes server): Three hours this pair have been on court now at Ken Rosewall Arena, and what a mesmerising show they’ve delivered. Evans appears in discomfort but still negotiates a searing de Minaur return and sends it back with interest. De Minaur, meanwhile, holds his nerve down 40-15 to take it to deuce and earn himself a break point which he promptly throws away by hitting a return into the net. Evans holds the advantage now and, after one fault, has enough on his second serve to engender another Aussie ball in net.
Third set: Evans 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 5-5 de Minaur* (*denotes server): Team GB captain Tim Henman spends the break telling Evans he has “permission to pull the trigger at any stage on your forehand.” He unleashes a full-stretching hook smash, but de Minaur stays in the zone and hangs onto his serve - and the match.
Third set: Evans* 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 5-4 de Minaur (*denotes server): Evans administers three points that are about as close to perfection as one can desire. And 40-0 down, de Minaur requests and is granted a short break to remove the shoelaces from his right shoe which have broken amid all the drama. But he’s having trouble threading the new laces through as his foot shakes uncontrollably up on a chair. Hewitt holds his foot steady. That’s what captains are for. It makes little difference in the end as de Minaur bundles a shot into the net and Evans holds.
Third set: Evans 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 4-4 de Minaur* (*denotes server): De Minaur holds with ease. Who ever said team tennis isn’t exciting.
Third set: Evans* 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 4-3 de Minaur (*denotes server): Never write off a kid with his head down and his eyes on the prize. In a controversial discussion point, the umpire gives Evans a time violation despite him rushing back and already practically serving as the countdown hit zero. His first serve is taken off him at 30-30. De Minaur capitalises and breaks back and we’re back on serve. This match just keeps on giving.
Updated
Third set: Evans 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 4-2 de Minaur* (*denotes server): Evans’ Team GB posse are offering words of encouragement. “Big push mate,” they tell their compatriot. And push he does the serving de Minaur, who double faults the first point and undoes all the good work from the previous game by giving Evans multiple break points. De Minaur uses his last challenge trying to claim an Evans’ shot is long of the baseline but Hawkeye shows it’s 1mm in. Still, the Aussie persists and yet another backhand winner - he’s tallied 16 to Evans’ six - makes it 30-40. No matter, Evans reigns in the next point.
And here’s the full report of that shock result at the Brisbane International:
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Third set: Evans* 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 3-2 de Minaur (*denotes server): What were we saying about errors? Evans makes one on serve at 30-30 and gifts de Minaur a break point. But de Minaur has no chance of returning his next serve, which was a bit of a rocket, and it’s deuce. Ad Evans. Back to deuce. Evans approaches for the volley and de Minaur returns low but with just enough venom that the Brit mucks up his forehand volley. Deuce. Ad Evans. Deuce.More tussling and tangoing and de Minaur, as he has done throughout this riveting, see-saw match, forces Evans to take that extra shot. Ad de Minaur. Evans dispatches a rare missed first serve and his second isn’t strong enough to stop the Demon unleashing a cracking backhand to break back.
Third set: Evans 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 3-1 de Minaur* (*denotes server): Evans has taken the most risks throughout this affair and de Minaur played it a little safer. Sometimes it means additional errors, as in two of the three first points of this game that allow de Minaur to sail to 40-0. At others, it manifests in a build-up and winner that doesn’t give his opponent time to blink, like when he rallies back to 40-15. And sometimes it forces his opponent to step up another gear, as de Minaur did to hold this particular game.
Third set: *Evans 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 3-0 de Minaur (*denotes server): The wind is in the British sails now. Has de Minaur got what it takes to deflate them and hit back straight away? Not with Evans serving as he is. An ace down the T at 40-15 up brings up a three-game advantage for Great Britain and leaves Australia with it all to do now.
Updated
Third set: Evans 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 2-0 de Minaur* (*denotes server): Clearly buoyed by how that last game ended, Evans manages to bring up a break point in this next game, much to the delight of his pumped up teammates on the sidelines. But de Minaur is more than equal to it, lunging to reach a perfectly executed volley at the net. The Australian’s radar is off a point later as he seeks to close out the game – he challenges, unsuccessfully – and we go again. Evans brings up another break point and this time he takes it, sparking a flurry of congratulatory chat from his teammates. “Great pressure mate, all over ‘im! Great stuff Evo!” Advantage GB.
Third set: *Evans 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 1-0 de Minaur (*denotes server): And with impeccable timing, Channel Nine conks out, just as the third and deciding set is about to get underway. A black screen is all I have to go off, so not much chance of telling you what happened in the first four points of the game. Sorry about that. But we’re back with images now and De Minaur is 40-15 up. Evans manages to save one of those break points before he runs around a forehand to fire a winner down the line and level things up at deuce. Another forehand winner later and Evans stands on the brink of holding. Out comes a big serve which de Minaur can’t return and the momentum the Australian held at the outset dissipates. Tremendous fight from Evans there.
Updated
Second set: Evans 7-6(7-4) 4-6 de Minaur* (*denotes server): This game is essentially the previous game in reverse. De Minaur has three set points at 40-0 before Evans pushes him back to deuce. Hewitt and Evans share some words between points. We imagine they weren’t very nice. Maybe it’s just coincidence but when play resumes de Minaur absolutely nails a forehand for the advantage and then unloads another to seal the game and set.
Updated
WTA Brisbane: Ash Barty loses to qualifier Jennifer Brady
A nightmare scenario materialises for Barty as she loses the second set on a tie-break and the match to Jennifer Brady, the American qualifier. The world No 1 falls 6-4, 7-6(7-4) to the 24-year-old from Pennsylvania in a huge upset. Might the long lead-in time to the match have played its part in Barty’s demise? More to come on that one, surely.
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Second set: Evans* 7-6(7-4) 4-5 de Minaur (*denotes server): Hmmm, not so fast. Evans is clearly determined to close out this match and rushes 40-0. No sooner have blinked than de Minaur makes it deuce, sealed by a drop shot that caught Evans utterly and completely off guard. To be fair, he returns the favour with a glorious angled winner to take the advantage. De Minaur gives him one back. Then, blimey. An Evans shot has de Minaur pulls so far out of court he has to put extra on his response to offset the acute angle. The manner with which he does so has Lleyton Hewitt and Nick Kyrgios wide-eyed and open-mouthed in the stands. The pair trade advantages and there’s a bee’s whisker in this. De Minaur elicits a thumbs-up from Evans when he reigns supreme in a superb rally. In the end, though, Evans stays strong and denies his Australian opponent a second break.
Nick Kyrgios is a happy camper. There can be no doubting the Australian, who put his team into a 1-0 lead earlier on, is absolutely loving this tournament and the team format. He laughed and joked his way through the rubber against Cam Norrie and played with a joy that is sometimes lacking from his game.
“Our team’s got each others’ backs,” Kyrgios said. “One of my good friends Jordan Thompson was here today so that made me play a bit better. But I love the team event. Rusty [Lleyton Hewitt] is the best captain and all the teammates supporting each other, being there for one another and it’s paying off.”
Updated
Second set: Evans 7-6(7-4) 3-5 de Minaur* (*denotes server): Evans executes a short shot that sneaks just over the net and nestles inside the line. He thinks it’s good enough, until de Minaur races down for a straight-barrelled shot down the line. This game plays host to some classic high-stakes tennis complete with dummy runs and sneaky slices, and it’s a half-volley from Evans that takes the score to deuce. But de Minaur holds his nerve and the game, and can now win the set if he breaks in the next game.
Second set: Evans* 7-6(7-4) 3-4 de Minaur (*denotes server): We do love a lob! De Minaur’s approach shot to the baseline was inch-perfect but Evans matched and then raised him one with a high ball over his head to draw ahead 30-15. One Evans backhand winner and one de Minaur smash later and we’re at 40-30. The game, in the end, belongs to Evans. And while there’s still just one game in this set Australia are well and truly back in the mix. Toe-to-toe stuff. De Minaur must ensure he doesn’t allow errors to creep in as he did in the first set.
Second set: Evans 7-6(7-4) 2-4 de Minaur* (*denotes server): Phew. Crisis averted as de Minaur fights back from two break points and two advantages before a bullet serve is too much for Evans and he holds serve. It didn’t start so positive for the Aussie. There’s nothing wrong with two top-draw, top-spin forehands but Evans is handed a favour when his reply nicks the net and sneaks over just out of reach. Patient aggression in the subsequent two rallies helps the Brit to 15-40 but de Minaur denies him the break and pushes to deuce. Suddenly Evans is at the net defending himself against a barrage of brutal shots, the last of which he’s simply no chance. De Minaur can’t close out the first advantage but he’s good for the second.
Second set: Evans* 7-6(7-4) 2-3 de Minaur (*denotes server): Some fancy Australian footwork gives de Minaur an early advantage, but then he challenges Evans’ serve and alas, it’s nicked the line. Evans starts to feast at the baseline and slice, slice, slice, before de Minaur bottles his shot and the game.
Ash Barty in trouble. Meanwhile, up in Brisbane, things aren’t going entirely to plan for Australia’s top player. The world No 1 has dropped the first set of her WTA tournament opener having been made to wait until today to play. American qualifier Jennifer Brady, who saw off Maria Sharapova in her opener on an outside court earlier this week, took the first set 6-4, heaping the pressure on Barty’s shoulders as she now seeks to recover and avoid a disappointing and unexpected early exit.
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Second set: Evans 7-6(7-4) 1-3 de Minaur* (*denotes server): Crucial game and the key for both is to hold their respective nerves. De Minaur attempts to up the ante on a long baseline rally and is rebuffed by the net, but Evans smashes a shot out in the next point and we’re back at 15-15. De Minaur takes the third point and a robust forehand forces another Evans error. One ace later and thank you very much, de Minaur is doing some damage.
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Second set: Evans* 7-6(7-4) 1-2 de Minaur (*denotes server): Evans down 15-30 and a simple return from de Minaur prompts a wayward shot. Can the 20-year-old break for Team Australia and dig himself out of this hole? Of course he can. Evans has him running back towards the baseline but the Brit isn’t expecting the ball to come back and out of reach.
Second set: Evans 7-6(7-4) 1-1 de Minaur* (*denotes server): Welcome back de Minaur. Just when we thought he was on the backfoot he holds his service game to love, forcing his combatant into two errors on the way.
Second set: Evans* 7-6(7-4) 1-0 de Minaur (*denotes server): Evans races ahead to 30-15 but can do nothing about a searing backhand from de Minaur that nestles right on the baseline in the back corner. Nonetheless, he maintains composure with a winner of his own for 40-30 and takes the game courtesy of an unforced error from the Australian.
Afternoon all. Right, Evans has taken a much-needed first set for Team GB and given de Minaur a lot to do in the second.
Right, that’s a good time for me to pass on the baton to Emma Kemp. Thanks for your company today.
First set: Evans* 7-6 de Minaur (*denotes server): Superbly constructed point from Evans crafts two set points for Great Britain. Then de Minaur dumps a return into the net and the set is Evans’!
Tiebreak: Evans 7-4 de Minaur
What a set of tennis as 🇬🇧 #TeamGreatBritain claims the first set tie-break 7-6(4)
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 9, 2020
This won't phase Alex De Minaur, he lost the first set in both his previous #ATPCup singles wins.#ATPCup | #Final8 | #GBRAUS pic.twitter.com/PoAVzZT4P6
Updated
First set: Evans 6-6 de Minaur* (*denotes server): Evans immediately snatches a mini-break back after de Minaur nets following a superb rally, reminiscent of the opening couple of games earlier in the match.
Tiebreak: Evans 5-4 de Minaur
First set: Evans* 6-6 de Minaur (*denotes server): Evans wins his first point easily but then he is blown off court by a rasping return winner. De Minaur back on serve.
Tiebreak: Evans 4-3 de Minaur
First set: Evans 6-6 de Minaur* (*denotes server): De Minaur still looks bothered by that missed smash but he pulls it together on his own serve.
Tiebreak: Evans 3-2 de Minaur
First set: Evans* 6-6 de Minaur (*denotes server): Wow! de Minaur misses the smash! A total fresh air swing to an Evans lob lost in the new canopy of the Ken Rosewall Arena. Kyrgios has issues with it earlier in the morning, and now this absolute shocker. His pain is doubled when Evans benefits from a very fortunate net cord to move up 2-0.
Tiebreak: Evans 2-0 de Minaur
Missed it by *that much* 😢#ATPCup pic.twitter.com/20jkaSGMmX
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 9, 2020
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First set: Evans* 6-6 de Minaur (*denotes server): Evans races to 30-0 but de Minaur steps it up with a scintillating one-two punch, first a lob fizzing with topspin, then a leaping crosscourt backhand that practically took the line with it on its way to 30-15. That’s as good as it gets for de Minuar though and Evans holds to 15.
Tiebreak.
First set: Evans 5-6 de Minaur* (*denotes server): Evans has snatched for a couple of winners earlier in rallies than he perhaps has needed to, and he does so again in de Minaur’s latest service game, handing his opponent a quick and easy hold. Again Evans will serve to say in the set.
First set: Evans* 5-5 de Minaur (*denotes server): Both players open cautiously in a game of vital importance but de Minaur still manages to overshoot the runway. He returns to his power game to level but some excellent Evans serving takes him out to 40-15 with two shot points. A thrilling leaping overhead backhand from de Minaur intercepts a well-targeted lob, adding a frisson to the contest. Evans senses the change in energy and is handed a violation for taking too long over his serve, a point he subsequently loses.
No bother. Evans controlled deuce off his racquet to level at 5-5.
🇦🇺 #TeamAustralia with the stretch volley!
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 9, 2020
Phew, that was close @NickKyrgios #ATPCup | #Final8 | #GBRAUS pic.twitter.com/scdJJkAfvE
Updated
First set: Evans 4-5 de Minaur* (*denotes server): At 15-15 de Minaur seems to be getting into his head a little but Evans searches unnecessarily for a winner to gift 30-15, then an ace gives the Australian some breathing space. A comprehensive smash means Evans will walk away from the changeover needing to hold serve to remain in the set.
First set: Evans* 4-4 de Minaur (*denotes server): You know when a rally’s good on this court without even needing to open your eyes because the sound of the players’ sneakers squeaking is its own symphony. The best rally since game three ends in favour of Evans, who presses home his advantage to move to 40-0 despite de Minaur thrashing a return to his toes. A second ace keeps us level pegging.
First set: Evans 3-4 de Minaur* (*denotes server): De Minaur needs an easy, steadying service game, and he gets it, holding to love, sealing the deal with a thumping forehand.
First set: Evans* 3-3 de Minaur (*denotes server): “Actions speak louder than words” Henman tells Evans at the change, focussing his charge while he engages in running dialogue with the Australian bench. The Briton is benefiting from an increasing number of errors creeping into de Minaur’s game, a fluffed return at 30-15 in particular a missed opportunity. Evans holds to return to parity after trailing 0-3 early.
@NickKyrgios is looking good for summer, predict will go long way into Australian open #ATPCup #ATPCup2020
— Dave Dawson (@demon_dave) January 9, 2020
If Kyrgios plays like he did today for the remainder of January he’ll make tennis a front page sport in Australia.
First set: Evans 2-3 de Minaur* (*denotes server): There’s an urgency to de Minaur that makes for compelling watching. He reaches the ball a fraction before you expect and his racquet comes through quicker than you’re prepared for, and when he loads up the big forehand crosscourt it’s got more oomph than you’d imagine for a man his size.
That said, he leaks from 15-0 to 15-40 with some needless errors and despite clawing back to 30-40 he fails to defend the second break point when Evans pummels a forehand down the line. A welcome break of serve for Great Britain and a disappointing game for de Minaur.
Updated
First set: Evans* 1-3 de Minaur (*denotes server): Henman talks of “targets” and “points on your terms” to Dan Evans at the change of ends, and he gets a few cheapies to settle any nerves. After those epic opening two games the match has dipped into a much more error-strewn contest.
First set: Evans 0-3 de Minaur* (*denotes server): A comparatively straightforward service hold for de Minaur in the circumstances and Australia race into a 3-0 advantage.
First set: Evans* 0-2 de Minaur (*denotes server): Already this match has settled into a rhythm of long technical rallies. From one of those, lasting 28-shots, De Minaur puts away a volley to move to 0-30. Evans digs in and drills a Federer-like single-handed pass after another gruelling exchange to tie things up at 30-30. A rare unforced error from de Minaur offers Evans game point but another superb demonstration of hitting from both men ends with deuce. This is glorious tennis, full of tempo changes and precision stroke-making.
Evans pulls out his best serve of the match at deuce to gain a second game point but de Minaur’s hustle sees it off. Evans gets another look but de Minaur refuses to relent. A third game point is saved with a monstrous forehand return then the Australian seizes the initiative with a forehand-backhand one-two punch. This has been a wonderful game, de Minaur’s returning in particular exceptional. And it earns him an early break! The pressure on the Evans serve was too much and, with both men already red faced and sweating profusely, de Minaur steals an early march.
Dan Evans getting in the face of the Australian box already... Staring down Hewitt after points. This is going to be an entertaining match. 👀 #ATPCup
— WTAADDICT (@wtaaddict) January 9, 2020
Evans likes a bit of chirp. This will be worth keeping an eye on.
Updated
First set: Evans 0-1 de Minaur* (*denotes server): Right from the off, the opening point is very structured and deliberate, both players using a range of strokes, spins and slices, before Evans finds the net with a volley coming into the net. There’s a pause while the video review confirms a de Minaur foot fault, a delay preceding two more punishing rallies that end the way of the Australian, the second of which culminating in a superb winner from de Minaur that hit the corner with him at full stretch on his forehand side. He serves out a love game comfortably.
Here we go, de Minaur to serve.
This should be an interesting match-up. Neither player is likely to blast the other off court (a la Kyrgios) with both earning reputations for their court coverage of variety of strokes. Rankings-wise de Minaur should be favoured, but there’s only a few hundred points separating the pair in the live standings.
Players are nearly ready to go for match 2 of #GBRAUS#ATPCup | #Final8 | #GBRAUS pic.twitter.com/Yv7HV1bFfO
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 9, 2020
As with the opening match this pair have met just once before with the advantage going the way of the Great Briton at last year’s Rogers Cup.
Attention now turns to Dan Evans v Alex de Minaur.
Nick isn't a fan of these early morning matches 😂@NickKyrgios #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/qvUeLHBKJ3
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 9, 2020
Kyrgios beats Norrie 6-2, 6-2 (Australia 1-0 Great Britain)
That was brutal from Nick Kyrgios. That’s the kind of form that gets tennis fans so excited. The serving (11 aces, just one break) was imposing, never allowing Norrie to settle. Then there was the variety - the one underarm serve, the drop shots, the angles - showing his all-round talent.
Norrie never looked at the races, lacking rhythm on serve and routinely hitting groundstrokes long. His frustration spilled over in the first set leading to a cracked racquet, and he looked beaten in the second long before the scoreboard determined it as fact.
Updated
Second set: Norrie 2-6, 2-6 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Ace. Ace. Ace. Let. Let. Return error. Game. Set. Match. Kyrgios.
Second set: Norrie* 2-6, 2-5 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Can Norrie build from this? No. He recovers from 0-30 to 30-30 courtesy of an unfamiliar edgy-looking Kyrgios but some weak serving opens the door for his rival to blow his whole house down. Another break of serve and now Kyrgios is one hold of serve away from an emphatic opening win.
Second set: Norrie 2-6, 2-4 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios moves to 30-15 with his seventh ace of the match and 40-15 with a thunderbolt wide to Norrie’s forehand. The Briton stays in contention with the help of a net cord then comes out on top in a rally Kyrgios thought he had in his pocket to engineer deuce. That rally contained Kyrgios failing to punish a smash that he may have lost in the unfamiliar lighting of this arena’s new canopy.
Norrie does well to force a second deuce, then a third, capitalising on Kyrgios getting too cute with his drops. A break follows after the left-hander controls a long rally, but it doesn’t last for long, the Australian dumping down an emphatic ace.
A double-fault, Kyrgios’ fifth, gives Norrie his sixth break point of the match - and finally he takes one! For only the second time this tournament Kyrgios is broken. Can Norrie build from this?
It’s taken Norrie 65 minutes to crack the awsome Kyrgios serve (hitting 137mph on a slow court with a heavy ball). Showing grit at a set and a break down.
— Kevin Mitchell (@kevinmitchell50) January 9, 2020
Updated
Second set: Norrie* 2-6, 1-4 Kyrgios (*denotes server): There’s a new contender for rally of the match, and finally the crowd is audible, after both players scurried around the court playing improvised shots to keep the ball in play. Kyrgios greeted his eventual winner with a double fist-pump and a little shimmy, then wins the next point to move 0-30 up. It could be more but in VAR snafu territory the video review camera on the service line was not working to confirm or deny a Norrie foot-fault.
Norrie gets to 15-30 and in control of the next rally but a despairing Kyrgios retusn ball after ball, the sound of his Nike sneakers screeching on the court reverberating around Ken Rosewall Arena. Unfamiliar hustle from the Australian but a reminder he has it in his locker. Once more, only one of multiple break points are required with a sumptuous dropped volley closing out another thoroughly entertaining game.
This is so much fun.
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) January 9, 2020
And @NickKyrgios has now surged to a 6-2 4-1 lead. #GoAussies #ATPCup https://t.co/YqQ2lC2XfZ
Second set: Norrie 2-6, 1-3 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): The one area of Kyrgios’ game that needs some refinement today is his timing coming into the net. Norrie passes him again after the Australian tried to come in on his second serve. The players then exchange unforced errors but Norrie’s comes after at least engaging Kyrgios in a rally. He does so again next point, and extracts another error to glimpse an opening. Opening closed. What a player. Kyrgios again comes in on his second serve and Norrie hits a smart return right on the Australian’s toes; not to worry, a drop-shot of rare class is his answer, taking the game to deuce.
But the tension doesn’t end there. Kyrgios double-faults with an overly aggressive pair of serves, both marginally wide. Norrie then has an opportunity to pass but doesn’t connect well from the baseline and Kyrgios puts the smash away like a volleyballer accepting a precise set. Tired of the game dragging on, Kyrgios wheels out the cannon and kabooms a couple of monster serves, the second ending with a full throated roar of approval.
Second set: Norrie* 2-6, 1-2 Kyrgios (*denotes server): A nondescript opening to the game sees Norrie 40-0 ahead but he’s serving with a lack of rhythm that eventually comes back to haunt him with a double-fault. The latest in a long line of overhit forehands brings Kyrgios back into the contest and he earns deuce with the rally of the match, pulling Norrie left and right with fierce thwacks, then drawing his opponent in with a subtle drop shot, eventually ending the torture with a simple overhead.
Oh dear, this is getting ugly for Norrie now, another unforced error long gifts a break point, and the limpest second serve dribbles into the net for a double-fault. Five points in a row to Kyrgios and he’s a break up after barely paying attention to the first three points of the game. This match will not last much longer I fear.
Second set: Norrie 2-6, 1-1 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Shot of the match so far from Norrie, a crosscourt passing shot from deep in his forehand corner with Kyrgios at the net. The Australian swats the adversity away with four powerful serves and some intimidating movement on his side of the net. He is playing like a boxer controlling the centre of the ring and Norrie is so far not meticulous enough to work around him.
Second set: Norrie* 2-6, 1-0 Kyrgios (*denotes server): “Pick your targets, come on” is Henman’s advice to Norrie as he serves first in the second set. It’s quickly followed by “bad luck, never mind” as a neat Kyrgios drop shot brings the game back to 15-15. Unforced errors are traded for 30-30 before Norrie controls a rally to engineer space to put away a crosscourt backhand then serve unreturnably to hold.
Kyrgios playing superb, imaginative tennis, including his first under-arm serve after 15 minutes, and a whole slew of slices and booming forehands. Norrie hugely frustrated.
— Kevin Mitchell (@kevinmitchell50) January 8, 2020
It’s so nice to see Kyrgios enjoying his tennis. He flourishes in team environments.
🇦🇺 #TeamAustralia runaway with the first set, winning 6-2.#ATPCup | #Final8 | #GBRAUS pic.twitter.com/qhNskw1bgo
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 8, 2020
First set: Norrie 2-6 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Brutal serving from Kyrgios, thumping ball after ball through Norrie like a 1980s West Indian fast bowler obliterating a tail. A comprehensive first set to the Australian.
First set: Norrie* 2-5 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Norrie is unraveling a little here, striking groundstrokes long repeatedly and struggling with his serve. Kyrgios is remorseless, moving up 0-30 with another crosscourt forehand hit with ferocious power. A Norrie error gifts three break points, but Kyrgios needs only one. I am smiling broadly and almost giggling at that winner. Running in from the baseline and skimming his racquet along the blue rebound ace the Australian hit a flicked stone-skimmer of a shot, full of disguise, that Norrie could only watch in awe. This has been a demonstration of all Kyrgios’ range of talent so far. A joy to watch.
He's the running man 🏃♂️
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 8, 2020
🇦🇺 #TeamAustralia leads 5-2 in the opening set.#ATPCup | #Final8 | #GBRAUS pic.twitter.com/EQtfY1XndK
Updated
First set: Norrie 2-4 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Kyrgios slips to 0-30 then misses his first serve. No bother, just a 199kph second-serve ace. But he follows that up with a second double-fault of the game to hand Norrie two break points. The Great Briton fails to take either, the second flying wildly off his racket as a long rally was starting to take shape. Another unforced error at deuce ends with Norrie throwing his racquet away in disgust, forcing him to jog to the far corner of the court to unzip his kit bag and pull out a replacement. It’s first use is for an angry return that sails long to gift Kyrgios the hold.
First set: Norrie* 2-3 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Norrie’s first serve is roughly as fast as Kyrgios’ second serve, meaning there are fewer cheap points on offer for the Briton and more long rallies. Kyrgios finally prevails in one of those to go up 15-30 but Norrie responds with a counterpunch forehand to exploit space Kyrgios left behind eschewing a backhand for a forehand. “Get on the attack” encourages Henman to his left-handed charge, but he is powerless to resist Kyrgios moving to his third break point - and he takes it - Norrie thrashing a forehand wide when the winner was on offer. It’ll be a long way back into this set from here for Team GB.
First set: Norrie 2-2 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Aye aye! Trademark Kyrgios. He races to 40-0 with a couple of booming serves and a well-placed drop shot then seals the deal with AN UNDERARM SERVE that catches Norrie off-guard. Magnificent entertainment from the Australian.
Surprise!#ATPCup | #Final8 | #GBRAUS pic.twitter.com/0vxlBv4BIs
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 8, 2020
First set: Norrie* 2-1 Kyrgios (*denotes server): Much better hold from Norrie, winning to love with a game full of intensity and hustle forcing Kyrgios into a series of errors.
First set: Norrie 1-1 Kyrgios* (*denotes server): Big confidence booster for Norrie, winning the opening point on Kyrios’ serve, passing the Australian after he tried to serve and volley. The big-serving entertainer responds with four straight points complete with sizzling serves, massive runaround forehands, and a thrilling leaping two-handed crosscourt backhand winner. Kyrios has only dropped serve once all tournament so far.
First set: Norrie* 1-0 Kyrgios (*denotes server): The opening point of the match is a long rally that will test out the ability of these players to go full tilt in this thick Sydney air. Norrie takes it, but he then slips 15-40 behind with consecutive double faults, both of which were way off target. Kyrgios then misses wide with his return to a half-paced second serve to see off the game then fades a forehand nervously into the net for deuce. Real let-off for Norrie, and he takes advance, steering another long rally then hammering an ace to secure the opening game.
Another odd thing about this new event is the mixed branding. Cam Norrie wearing a random turquoise shirt, while the whole Aussie team, including his opponent Nick Kyrgios, are in green and gold.
— Mike Dickson (@Mike_Dickson_DM) January 8, 2020
The absence of proper uniforms does give the air of an exhibition. Australia, despite the mixture of apparel sponsors, at least look like a team with their gold shirts and green shorts.
Norrie has won the toss and will serve first.
Please welcome 🇬🇧 #TeamGreatBritain and 🇦🇺 #TeamAustralia to the #Final8. pic.twitter.com/1XoCziInc1
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 8, 2020
Still plenty of seats available by the looks of things. Organisers must have wished a marquee match-up like this landed in the bracket allowing an evening session.
Drilling down a little on Norrie v Kyrgios before tie one gets underway...
This is only the second time they’ve met in competition, Norrie taking their inaugural meeting a couple of years ago after Kyrgios retired with injury in the second set.
Whenever Kyrgios is in action it’s customary to focus on the importance of his serve. He is ranked by the ATP as the fifth-best in the sport, so if he brings his A game he will be hard to overcome. But Norrie is a canny returner and a fierce scrapper who will relish taking on such a combustible opponent.
Here come the Aussies!
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 8, 2020
🇦🇺 #TeamAustralia | #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/9BCG7bMyC8
Time for a sing song in Ken Rosewall Arena. Australia patiently standing through their former and current national anthems.
While Australia, led by Lleyton Hewitt, are benefiting from one of those spells in Kyrgios’ career where we all cross our fingers and toes and hope the prodigious talent stays this focussed for the remainder of his career. Alongside him in the singles is Alex de Minaur, a quintessentially Australian sportsman, and a player who would not look out of place in the top ten before the end of the season.
Great Britain, under the leadership of Tim Henman, have proven a tight-knit and resilient bunch so far this ATP Cup.
Australia has an abundance of quality tennis centres and the 10,000 capacity Ken Rosewall Arena is right up there with the best following the completion of a canopy roof in time for the ATP Cup.
Just look at the new roof on Ken Rosewall Arena! 🙌@destinationnsw | #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/Xy8rCcWhFl
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) December 30, 2019
Weather and air quality: It’s mild and humid in Sydney today with temperates in the mid-20s. There’s a southerly wind that’s bringing smoke into the city from the fires burning in southern NSW, meaning the air conditions are not great. The official forecast is for the air quality to be “poor”, meaning the air is “unhealthy for sensitive people, and could cause symptoms, especially in people with heart or lung disease.” But there’s also an hourly alert in place indicating that because of particles pm10 “everyone, especially people with heart or lung disease should avoid outdoor exertion and stay inside as much as possible. If you have symptoms rest and use your reliever medicine. If symptoms persist, seek medical advice.”
The tennis community is acutely aware of the risks posed by Australia’s poor air quality.
Is the ATP Cup a success? That will be the question that dominates column inches in the space between the men’s tennis caravan departing Sydney and alighting in Melbourne for the Australian Open.
It is stating the obvious that it makes little sense for a tournament like this to be so close in the calendar to its rival for the mantle of World Cup of Tennis - November’s Davis Cup Finals. And the anecdotal evidence from crowds is that Perth’s tennis fans have missed the convivial Hopman Cup, while the scheduling in Brisbane between the ATP and WTA Tours has confused a few in Queensland, not least Maria Sharapova. But then, once the idea of an ATP Cup was floated around this time of year, it was an opportunity Tennis Australia were never going to pass up.
It remains to be seen how the players respond, whether the event carries the prestige of a supposed World Cup, and if there’s a $$$ return on the ATP’s investment.
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live game-by-game coverage of the first ATP Cup quarter-final between Great Britain and Australia. After taking in the delights of Perth and Brisbane during the group phase, the action has relocated to Sydney for the knockout stage, specifically Ken Rosewall Arena in the Olympic Park precinct. Action gets underway at 10am local time (11pm UK).
There are three matches scheduled for the tie, beginning with Cameron Norrie v Nick Kyrgios, followed by Dan Evans v Alex de Minaur, and finishing with the doubles where Jamie Murray & Joe Salisbury will take on Chris Guccione & John Peers.
The winners of this quarter-final will face the likely - and unenviable - prospect of a semi-final with tournament favourites and recent Davis Cup winners Spain. Rafael Nadal and co may slip up in the last eight tie against Belgium, but after storming through the group phase with a 9-0 unbeaten record, that seems fanciful.
Based on pre-tournament rankings GB and Australia were rated the 17th and 18th best teams in the draw, meaning both can be pleased with their progress so far, irrespective of their performance today. But the hosts will be favoured to make it to the last four after streaking a tough Group F, going unbeaten against the likes of Alex Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Denis Shapovalov. With ta partisan crowd behind them the mercurial Kyrgios and nuggety de Minaur will be hard to beat.
GB by contrast finished top of Group C by set countback after finishing level with Belgium and Bulgaria on two wins apiece, and level again with the Belgians on six match victories. Under the leadership of Tim Henman Great Britain have coped well with the absence of the injured Andy Murray, not to mention not being able to call up on Kyle Edmund, a man ranked 14 in the world this time last year, but now struggling for form.
If you would like to join in the conversation, please send your emails to jonathan.howcroft.casual@theguardian.com or tweets to @JPHowcroft.
