Hewitt keeps Aussies alive

LLEYTON Hewitt and John Peers beat Austria’s Jurgen Melzer and Oliver Marach 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 to keep alive Australia’s hopes in the Davis Cup playoff in Graz going into last night’s final rubbers.

Team captain Hewitt, playing in his 80th match in the green and gold, 19 years after making his debut, nominated himself ahead of Jordan Thompson.

John Millman, struggling with illness, sat in as courtside skipper at the Messe Grand complex.