Alex de Minaur sparked an Australian Davis Cup comeback in Manchester as he led his nation to a 2-1 defeat of France on Thursday.
The player who lost to Brit Dan Evans the day before in the tournament which sends winners to the Davis Finals in November, handed in a 7-6 (2), 6-3 win over Ugo Humbert after Adrian Mannarino got things started for France with his 7-6(4) 6-4 win over Max Purcell.
Australia concluded a 2-1 win in the tie thanks to doubles success from Matt Ebden and Purcell, who stopped Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 7-5 6-3 in the doubles.
Captain Lleyton Hewitt was more than pleased: “These boys have done (Australia) proud yet again,.
“For us to re-group and get the win against a quality team in France today was really important. It was backs against the wall, we dug deep and we’re still hanging in there.”
De Minaur improved to 12-7 in Davis singles. “It feels like redemption from yesterday,” he said 24 hours after defeat to Evans.
“I’ve normally delivered when I put on the green and gold. I”m happy I was able to reset and deliver a must-win match.”
He added: “I didn’t do anything extraordinary, the only thing I did was keep us alive.”
Australia now face Switzerland in a Sunday group tie; the top two finishers in the four-nation play off advance to the Finals in Spain.
Main photo:- Alex de Minaur celebrates victory – by ITF/Davis Cup
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