CUP MISSION A FAILURE
AUSTRALIA has lost its Davis Cup first-round tie in Brisbane after Nick Kyrgios was thrashed in straight sets by world No. 5 Alex Zverev, giving Germany an unbeatable 3-1 lead.
The world No. 14 looked frustrated from the outset yesterday and required a second set medical time-out for his right arm before succumbing 6-2, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.
Australia has now been relegated to September’s World Group playoffs while Germany moves through to April’s quar- ter-finals. The final reverse singles rubber set to feature Australian No. 2 Alex de Minaur against Jan-Lennard Struff was abandoned after Germany sealed the win.
Australia had to win both reverse singles rubbers to claim the tie after doubles pairing John Peers and Matthew Ebden lost in five sets to Struff and Tim Puetz on Saturday.
Zverev stood tall yesterday to ensure Germany won through to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2014.
The stage had been set for an epic clash between rising stars Kyrgios and Zverev. And while Kyrgios started with an ace and cruised through his first service game, he looked out of sorts against the German and never found his rhythm. Kyrgios appeared to be struggling with a right elbow ailment, taking a timeout for treatment while leading 4-3 in the second set.
Kyrgios was clearly restricted by the second set tiebreak, earning a point penalty to trail 4-0 after slamming his racquet into the ground following another unforced error.
Kyrgios made 34 unforced errors against the big-serving Zverev, who made him pay.
The German’s serve was the difference: he slammed 15 aces and enjoyed a 71 per cent first serve percentage.
Zverev made short work of Kyrgios in the third set to secure a win and improve his head-to-head record to 5-2 against the Australian No. 1 in all competitions.
The loss was a blow for the hosts, who qualified for last year’s semi-finals and had won their past three home ties. Germany plays either Britain or Spain in the quarter-finals.