Lleyton ’still playing well enough’: Smith

Smith didn’t discuss Tomic’s spray at Hewitt when contacted this week, but insisted the 37-year-old’s form still warrants playing in a major and they can forge a strong combination.

Hewitt made the semi-finals of the Sydney Internationals with Thompson.

“He’s still playing well enough. We’ve got a tough first round but I think if we play well we’re a chance (of success),” Smith said.

“We jell well and I complement his game pretty well. I’m fairly handy at the net, so that’s why I think we’ll make a good partnership.

“I’ve made a second round (in Australian Open doubles) but this time around it’s a bit different. Playing with Lleyton, I really want to play well.”

Thompson, a Hewitt acolyte, said his form merited entry.

“We made the semi-finals (in Sydney) and came within a whisker of making the final so I don’t see what the problem is,” he said after falling in the second round of the singles to Italian Andreas Seppi.

Smith and compatriot John Millman lost to Daniell and Koolhof in the Brisbane International semi-finals, edged out 10-8 in the third-set super tiebreak.

World No.201 Smith said the intel gained from the clash would be invaluable heading into the first major of the year.

“It’s absolutely big,” he said. “Obviously, you want to scout your opponents and it helps a lot that I’ve played them just over a week ago.”