Thanasi displaces Groth in Cup team

HE’S only won six singles matches for the year but recalled Thanasi Kokkinakis is a big factor in Australia’s Davis Cup semi-final campaign next week in Belgium.

He yesterday displaced Sam Groth from Australia’s fourman team, who beat the US in April in Brisbane.

Kokkinakis, who has risen to No.222 in the singles rankings, could be named for doubles against the Belgians alongside doubles specialist John Peers, who played in the doubles rubber against the US with Groth.

Both team spearheads, Australia’s Nick Kyrgios (shoulder, hip) and Belgium’s David Goffin (knee), are under fitness clouds for the Brussels semifinal, which starts next Friday.

South Australian Kokkinakis’ utility value as a day-three singles substitute for Australia is high even at this early stage of his comeback, having beaten two top-15 players, Milos Raonic and Tomas Berdych, in the past three months.

“After so much time out, you kind of forget how to compete a little bit and the intensity of matches,” he said.

“I’m slowly getting there. I’m a long way off where I want to be. I’ve shown I’m close.”

Australian No.2 Jordan Thompson has had a mixed season, but his US Open first round over seeded Jack Sock underlined his suitability for best-of-five sets tennis.

Goffin, Steve Darcis, Ruben Bemelmans and Joris De Loore were named by Belgium for the tie.

If Australia can win the semi-final they will host against either France or Serbia at Melbourne Park.