BRISBANE, February 1, 2018
Alex De Minaur will make his Davis Cup by BNP Paribas debut for Australia when he takes on German No.1 and World No.5 Alexander Zverev in the opening rubber on Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane on Friday.
The 18-year-old was confirmed as Australia’s No.2 singles player at the official draw on Thursday when the order of play was unveiled with the help of a water-powered spectacular featuring jetpacks on the Brisbane River.
“Obviously he’s the favourite, but I’m gonna come out there and leave it all out there and put everything on the line and try to do everything I can,’’ said De Minaur, who is currently ranked at World No. 139.
“I wasn’t expecting any of this, so it’s really a dream come true. I don’t think there’s a greater honour than representing your country, so I’m really proud of this moment and I can’t wait to get out there.”
Zverev is contesting just his third Davis Cup tie this weekend. He has a 1-4 win-loss record in the competition, with his only win coming against Arthur de Greef in the second rubber of Germany’s World Group first round defeat to Belgium last year.
“When you’re top 10 in the world. Obviously you’re supposed to win most of the matches that you play and that’s something that you have to learn to deal with, and I think I’m doing okday with being the favourite, so I don’t think about it too much,” Zverev commented.
Kyrgios To Face Struff
Australian No.1 player and Brisbane International champion Nick Kyrgios will take on Jan-Lennard Struff, Germany’s No.2 singles player, in the second singles match.
Saturday will see the doubles rubber feature Matt Ebden, who was nominated ahead of Jordan Thompson, and John Peers team up. The Australian tandem will face Peter Gojowczyk and Tim Pütz.
The reverse singles will be played on Sunday featuring the highly-anticipated clash between Kyrgios and Zverev.
So many firsts as Australia take on Germany in Davis Cup.
A first appearance for Alex De Minaur, who takes on Alexander Zverev in the opening rubber, will be followed by a first-time meeting between Nick Kyrgios and Jan-Lennard Struff. #GoAussies pic.twitter.com/ImxPy68s4h
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) 1. Februar 2018
It will be the eighth meeting for the two nations, but their first on a hard court. They have previously contested four ties on grass, all of which were won by Australia, and three ties on clay, all of which were won by Germany. The Germans won the nations’ most recent encounter – a 3-2 World Group play-off victory in Hamburg in 2012.
Order of play
Start times (local Brisbane time)
Friday 2 February
10.45 am – Gates open
11.45 am – Opening ceremony
12.00 pm – Alex De Minaur (AUS) vs Alexander Zverev (GER)
Followed by Nick Kyrgios (AUS) vs Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)
Saturday 3 February
12.00 pm – Gates open
1.00 pm – Matt Ebden / John Peers (AUS) vs Peter Gojowczyk / Tim Puetz (GER)
Sunday 4 February
11.00 am – Gates open
12.00 pm – Nick Kyrgios (AUS) vs Alexander Zverev (GER)
Followed by Alex De Minaur (AUS) vs Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)
