Australia face Poland in Davis Cup

Bernard Tomic ... expected to spearhead Australia's Davis Cup efforts in Poland. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Australia must beat Poland away from home in September to return to the Davis Cup World Group for the first time since 2007.

Pat Rafter's team have received a tough but winnable draw for the World Group playoffs, which will be held from September 13-15.

The winner of the tie will qualify for the competition's top tier in 2014.

Australia have lost to European opposition in their past three World Group playoffs but, in Poland, they will face a nation having its first crack at a spot in the top 16.

Poland defeated South Africa 3-1 in the second round to qualify.

Their team is spearheaded by rising 22-year-old Jerzy Janowicz, ranked 24th in the world.

The side also features world No.92 Lukasz Kubot and doubles duo Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski.

Hosting rights were determined randomly.

Poland hosted their last tie on a hardcourt in the small town of Zielona Gora.

Australia earned a shot at the playoffs by beating Uzbekistan in Namangan last weekend and will be confident the likes of Bernard Tomic and Lleyton Hewitt can get the job done again away from home.

The 28-time Davis Cup champions are desperate to make amends after losing five playoffs in the past six years.

"No one wants to be here (in this group),'' Rafter said.

"We want to get out."

Hewitt, Tomic, Marinko Matosevic and Matt Ebden have never played Janowicz or Kubot.

View the original article here

Tomic seals Aussie Davis Cup win

Sealer ... Bernard Tomic beats Denis Istomin in Namangan. Source: Clive Brunskill / AFP

Bernard Tomic completed his Davis Cup redemption as he clinched victory over Uzbekistan to earn Australia another shot at returning to the competition's top tier.

Tomic defeated Uzbek No.1 Denis Istomin in the opening reverse singles match on clay in Namangan to give Australia a 3-1 victory in the best-of-five Asia/Oceania second round tie.

It capped a strong team effort and a happy to return to the team for Tomic, who also beat Farrukh Dustov on Friday to get Australia off to a strong start.

After being dropped by Australian captain Pat Rafter from the last tie due to attitude problems, Tomic indicated in January he would not be available against Uzbekistan.

But, after the pair buried the hatchet, he was recalled and showed plenty of commitment to Australia's cause under tough conditions in Uzbekistan.

"It's a huge thing for me to get back in the team,'' Tomic said.

"I told Pat thanks very much for picking me again and I think did really well this time.\

"To win today and on Friday is huge and I'm happy I played the way I did.''

"We worked hard the week before with the boys as a team and I think that's what got the best out of me here.''

Tomic was able to take advantage of a tiring Istomin, who was playing for the third straight day and spent four hours on court in Saturday's gruelling five-set doubles loss to Lleyton Hewitt and Matt Edben.

The tough Uzbek claimed a tight first set but from there it was all Tomic as he stamped his authority on the choppy Pahlavon Sport Complex court.

Rafter described it as some of Tomic's best tennis and urged him to continue heading in the right direction with his attitude and commitment.

"He's still got a way to go and he knows it too but he's made inroads and that's the important thing,'' Rafter said.

"He tried hard and we've got to make sure he keeps on improving.''

Rafter admitted Australia's tactics worked perfectly, with the decision to leave regular spearhead Hewitt out of Friday's opening singles paying off.

The fresh pairing of Hewitt and Ebden combined for a crucial doubles win over Dustov and Istomin, who also expended plenty of energy in a tough four-set win over Marinko Matosevic on Friday.

Australia should next week learn who they will face in the World Group playoffs from September 13-15, where a win would return them to the top 16 for the first time since 2007.

Rafter said the draw would be crucial, with possible opponents including powerhouse Spain.

But, after four consecutive failed attempts to win a World Group playoff, he insisted motivation was not an issue for the 28-time champions.

"No-one wants to be here (in this group),'' he said.

"We want to get out.''

View the original article here

Tomic seals Aussie Davis Cup win

Sealer ... Bernard Tomic beats Denis Istomin in Namangan. Source: Clive Brunskill / AFP

Bernard Tomic completed his Davis Cup redemption as he clinched victory over Uzbekistan to earn Australia another shot at returning to the competition's top tier.

Tomic defeated Uzbek No.1 Denis Istomin in the opening reverse singles match on clay in Namangan to give Australia a 3-1 victory in the best-of-five Asia/Oceania second round tie.

It capped a strong team effort and a happy to return to the team for Tomic, who also beat Farrukh Dustov on Friday to get Australia off to a strong start.

After being dropped by Australian captain Pat Rafter from the last tie due to attitude problems, Tomic indicated in January he would not be available against Uzbekistan.

But, after the pair buried the hatchet, he was recalled and showed plenty of commitment to Australia's cause under tough conditions in Uzbekistan.

"It's a huge thing for me to get back in the team,'' Tomic said.

"I told Pat thanks very much for picking me again and I think did really well this time.\

"To win today and on Friday is huge and I'm happy I played the way I did.''

"We worked hard the week before with the boys as a team and I think that's what got the best out of me here.''

Tomic was able to take advantage of a tiring Istomin, who was playing for the third straight day and spent four hours on court in Saturday's gruelling five-set doubles loss to Lleyton Hewitt and Matt Edben.

The tough Uzbek claimed a tight first set but from there it was all Tomic as he stamped his authority on the choppy Pahlavon Sport Complex court.

Rafter described it as some of Tomic's best tennis and urged him to continue heading in the right direction with his attitude and commitment.

"He's still got a way to go and he knows it too but he's made inroads and that's the important thing,'' Rafter said.

"He tried hard and we've got to make sure he keeps on improving.''

Rafter admitted Australia's tactics worked perfectly, with the decision to leave regular spearhead Hewitt out of Friday's opening singles paying off.

The fresh pairing of Hewitt and Ebden combined for a crucial doubles win over Dustov and Istomin, who also expended plenty of energy in a tough four-set win over Marinko Matosevic on Friday.

Australia should next week learn who they will face in the World Group playoffs from September 13-15, where a win would return them to the top 16 for the first time since 2007.

Rafter said the draw would be crucial, with possible opponents including powerhouse Spain.

But, after four consecutive failed attempts to win a World Group playoff, he insisted motivation was not an issue for the 28-time champions.

"No-one wants to be here (in this group),'' he said.

"We want to get out.''

View the original article here

Australia face Poland in Davis Cup

Bernard Tomic ... expected to spearhead Australia's Davis Cup efforts in Poland. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Australia must beat Poland away from home in September to return to the Davis Cup World Group for the first time since 2007.

Pat Rafter's team have received a tough but winnable draw for the World Group playoffs, which will be held from September 13-15.

The winner of the tie will qualify for the competition's top tier in 2014.

Australia have lost to European opposition in their past three World Group playoffs but, in Poland, they will face a nation having its first crack at a spot in the top 16.

Poland defeated South Africa 3-1 in the second round to qualify.

Their team is spearheaded by rising 22-year-old Jerzy Janowicz, ranked 24th in the world.

The side also features world No.92 Lukasz Kubot and doubles duo Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski.

Hosting rights were determined randomly.

Poland hosted their last tie on a hardcourt in the small town of Zielona Gora.

Australia earned a shot at the playoffs by beating Uzbekistan in Namangan last weekend and will be confident the likes of Bernard Tomic and Lleyton Hewitt can get the job done again away from home.

The 28-time Davis Cup champions are desperate to make amends after losing five playoffs in the past six years.

"No one wants to be here (in this group),'' Rafter said.

"We want to get out."

Hewitt, Tomic, Marinko Matosevic and Matt Ebden have never played Janowicz or Kubot.

View the original article here

Aussies share spoils in Davis Cup

Loss ... Marinko Matosevic fell to Dennis Istomin in four sets. Source: Mark Humphrey / AP

Marinko Matosevic responded to his selection ahead of Lleyton Hewitt with his best Davis Cup performance but still fell short of victory as honours were split on the first day against Uzbekistan.

After Bernard Tomic got Australia off to a winning start in Namangan by beating Farrukh Dustov, a gallant Matosevic couldn't follow suit in a tense 6-4 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 6-4 loss to Uzbek No.1 Denis Istomin on Friday.

It left the must-win clay court tie square at 1-1 and Davis Cup legend Hewitt once again shapes as the key as Australia aim to progress to the World Group playoffs in September.

The 32-year-old will team up with Matt Ebden in doubles against Istomin and Dustov on Saturday and he looks likely to replace Matosevic in a potentially decisive reverse singles match on Sunday.

Australian captain Pat Rafter had surprisingly given unproven Matosevic the nod to compete on the first day, with Hewitt missing the opening singles for only the second time in his record 15-year career in the competition.

And despite the loss Rafter stood by his decision and was delighted with how Matosevic pushed Istomin, ranked four places higher at 46, to the limits ahead of the doubles.

"Marinko played by far his best Davis Cup match. He was very, very good against a very solid player,'' Rafter told AAP.

"All in all it was a really good day.

"It would have been great to be up 2-0 but 1-all is not a bad scoreline and pushing Istomin the way he did was really good.

"We didn't want to take it out Lleyton of today, he's got a big match tomorrow and that match is really important.''

The performance at a packed Pahlavon Sport Complex means Australia's bid to earn a shot at returning to the top 16 for the first time since 2007 remains alive.

Tomic marked his return to the team with a hard-fought 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 6-4 win over Dustov, whose performance belied his ranking of 216.

Having been dropped for the last tie against Taiwan due to attitude problems, Rafter had challenged the 20-year-old Tomic to prove his commitment to Australia's cause through his on-court attitude in Namangan.

And the former US Open winner would have been delighted with what he saw in the first set.

Despite taking issue with some early calls and trailing 5-3, Tomic remained focused, clawing back on level terms and winning the first set in a tense tiebreak.

From there he always seemed in control against his 196cm opponent, although the pair traded breaks several times in the final set.

"I think I lost a bit of my concentration and maybe should have won it more easily,'' Tomic said.

"But a win is a win and I am happy I won and got my team up in the tie.''

Matosevic was made to pay for one poor service game in the first set before being easily accounted for in the second set tiebreak.

He showed guts to claim the third with two breaks but the ultra-solid Istomin broke late in the fourth and served it out.

Uzbekistan are unbeaten in six Davis Cup ties at the venue.

View the original article here

Tomic seals Aussie Davis Cup win

Sealer ... Bernard Tomic beats Denis Istomin in Namangan. Source: Clive Brunskill / AFP

Bernard Tomic completed his Davis Cup redemption as he clinched victory over Uzbekistan to earn Australia another shot at returning to the competition's top tier.

Tomic defeated Uzbek No.1 Denis Istomin in the opening reverse singles match on clay in Namangan to give Australia a 3-1 victory in the best-of-five Asia/Oceania second round tie.

It capped a strong team effort and a happy to return to the team for Tomic, who also beat Farrukh Dustov on Friday to get Australia off to a strong start.

After being dropped by Australian captain Pat Rafter from the last tie due to attitude problems, Tomic indicated in January he would not be available against Uzbekistan.

But, after the pair buried the hatchet, he was recalled and showed plenty of commitment to Australia's cause under tough conditions in Uzbekistan.

"It's a huge thing for me to get back in the team,'' Tomic said.

"I told Pat thanks very much for picking me again and I think did really well this time.\

"To win today and on Friday is huge and I'm happy I played the way I did.''

"We worked hard the week before with the boys as a team and I think that's what got the best out of me here.''

Tomic was able to take advantage of a tiring Istomin, who was playing for the third straight day and spent four hours on court in Saturday's gruelling five-set doubles loss to Lleyton Hewitt and Matt Edben.

The tough Uzbek claimed a tight first set but from there it was all Tomic as he stamped his authority on the choppy Pahlavon Sport Complex court.

Rafter described it as some of Tomic's best tennis and urged him to continue heading in the right direction with his attitude and commitment.

"He's still got a way to go and he knows it too but he's made inroads and that's the important thing,'' Rafter said.

"He tried hard and we've got to make sure he keeps on improving.''

Rafter admitted Australia's tactics worked perfectly, with the decision to leave regular spearhead Hewitt out of Friday's opening singles paying off.

The fresh pairing of Hewitt and Ebden combined for a crucial doubles win over Dustov and Istomin, who also expended plenty of energy in a tough four-set win over Marinko Matosevic on Friday.

Australia should next week learn who they will face in the World Group playoffs from September 13-15, where a win would return them to the top 16 for the first time since 2007.

Rafter said the draw would be crucial, with possible opponents including powerhouse Spain.

But, after four consecutive failed attempts to win a World Group playoff, he insisted motivation was not an issue for the 28-time champions.

"No-one wants to be here (in this group),'' he said.

"We want to get out.''

View the original article here

Aussies share spoils in Davis Cup

Loss ... Marinko Matosevic fell to Dennis Istomin in four sets. Source: Mark Humphrey / AP

Marinko Matosevic responded to his selection ahead of Lleyton Hewitt with his best Davis Cup performance but still fell short of victory as honours were split on the first day against Uzbekistan.

After Bernard Tomic got Australia off to a winning start in Namangan by beating Farrukh Dustov, a gallant Matosevic couldn't follow suit in a tense 6-4 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 6-4 loss to Uzbek No.1 Denis Istomin on Friday.

It left the must-win clay court tie square at 1-1 and Davis Cup legend Hewitt once again shapes as the key as Australia aim to progress to the World Group playoffs in September.

The 32-year-old will team up with Matt Ebden in doubles against Istomin and Dustov on Saturday and he looks likely to replace Matosevic in a potentially decisive reverse singles match on Sunday.

Australian captain Pat Rafter had surprisingly given unproven Matosevic the nod to compete on the first day, with Hewitt missing the opening singles for only the second time in his record 15-year career in the competition.

And despite the loss Rafter stood by his decision and was delighted with how Matosevic pushed Istomin, ranked four places higher at 46, to the limits ahead of the doubles.

"Marinko played by far his best Davis Cup match. He was very, very good against a very solid player,'' Rafter told AAP.

"All in all it was a really good day.

"It would have been great to be up 2-0 but 1-all is not a bad scoreline and pushing Istomin the way he did was really good.

"We didn't want to take it out Lleyton of today, he's got a big match tomorrow and that match is really important.''

The performance at a packed Pahlavon Sport Complex means Australia's bid to earn a shot at returning to the top 16 for the first time since 2007 remains alive.

Tomic marked his return to the team with a hard-fought 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 6-4 win over Dustov, whose performance belied his ranking of 216.

Having been dropped for the last tie against Taiwan due to attitude problems, Rafter had challenged the 20-year-old Tomic to prove his commitment to Australia's cause through his on-court attitude in Namangan.

And the former US Open winner would have been delighted with what he saw in the first set.

Despite taking issue with some early calls and trailing 5-3, Tomic remained focused, clawing back on level terms and winning the first set in a tense tiebreak.

From there he always seemed in control against his 196cm opponent, although the pair traded breaks several times in the final set.

"I think I lost a bit of my concentration and maybe should have won it more easily,'' Tomic said.

"But a win is a win and I am happy I won and got my team up in the tie.''

Matosevic was made to pay for one poor service game in the first set before being easily accounted for in the second set tiebreak.

He showed guts to claim the third with two breaks but the ultra-solid Istomin broke late in the fourth and served it out.

Uzbekistan are unbeaten in six Davis Cup ties at the venue.

View the original article here

Tomic seals Aussie Davis Cup win

Sealer ... Bernard Tomic beats Denis Istomin in Namangan. Source: Clive Brunskill / AFP

Bernard Tomic completed his Davis Cup redemption as he clinched victory over Uzbekistan to earn Australia another shot at returning to the competition's top tier.

Tomic defeated Uzbek No.1 Denis Istomin in the opening reverse singles match on clay in Namangan to give Australia a 3-1 victory in the best-of-five Asia/Oceania second round tie.

It capped a strong team effort and a happy to return to the team for Tomic, who also beat Farrukh Dustov on Friday to get Australia off to a strong start.

After being dropped by Australian captain Pat Rafter from the last tie due to attitude problems, Tomic indicated in January he would not be available against Uzbekistan.

But, after the pair buried the hatchet, he was recalled and showed plenty of commitment to Australia's cause under tough conditions in Uzbekistan.

"It's a huge thing for me to get back in the team,'' Tomic said.

"I told Pat thanks very much for picking me again and I think did really well this time.\

"To win today and on Friday is huge and I'm happy I played the way I did.''

"We worked hard the week before with the boys as a team and I think that's what got the best out of me here.''

Tomic was able to take advantage of a tiring Istomin, who was playing for the third straight day and spent four hours on court in Saturday's gruelling five-set doubles loss to Lleyton Hewitt and Matt Edben.

The tough Uzbek claimed a tight first set but from there it was all Tomic as he stamped his authority on the choppy Pahlavon Sport Complex court.

Rafter described it as some of Tomic's best tennis and urged him to continue heading in the right direction with his attitude and commitment.

"He's still got a way to go and he knows it too but he's made inroads and that's the important thing,'' Rafter said.

"He tried hard and we've got to make sure he keeps on improving.''

Rafter admitted Australia's tactics worked perfectly, with the decision to leave regular spearhead Hewitt out of Friday's opening singles paying off.

The fresh pairing of Hewitt and Ebden combined for a crucial doubles win over Dustov and Istomin, who also expended plenty of energy in a tough four-set win over Marinko Matosevic on Friday.

Australia should next week learn who they will face in the World Group playoffs from September 13-15, where a win would return them to the top 16 for the first time since 2007.

Rafter said the draw would be crucial, with possible opponents including powerhouse Spain.

But, after four consecutive failed attempts to win a World Group playoff, he insisted motivation was not an issue for the 28-time champions.

"No-one wants to be here (in this group),'' he said.

"We want to get out.''

View the original article here

Tomic ends Davis Cup exile

Exile Over ... Pat Rafter and Tennis Australia will welcome back Bernard Tomic for the Davis Cup. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

The Davis Cup standoff between Bernard Tomic and Tennis Australia is over.

Tomic, 20, revealed in Miami he will represent Australia against Uzbekistan in Namangan next month.

The Queenslander said in January he would boycott the tie in retaliation for being suspended by Cup captain Pat Rafter from February's Asia/Ocenia tie against Chinese Taipei.

Rafter, with the full support of TA, dumped Tomic for unprofessional conduct and lack of effort.

But after discussions between Rafter and Tomic, the impasse has ended.

Tomic's availability provides a serious boost to Australia's bid to break back into the World Group for 2014.

Despite saying he would wait until the middle of the year to decide on his Cup future, Tomic changed his mind.

"The Davis Cup is going to be held after this (Miami Masters)," Tomic said.

"We're going to train in Munich when everyone's done here and then play against Uzbekistan.

"It's not going to be a pretty place but I’m looking forward to it. We have got a good team now.

"I think we should win and Davis Cup is back on the roll for me and I'm going to try my heart out when it comes."

Tomic will vie for singles duties with Marinko Matosevic, provided spearhead Lleyton Hewitt remains fit to lead the team.

The Wimbledon quarter-finalist said: "It was always a dream for me to play Davis Cup at a young age and you want to represent your country whenever you can and to get the opportunity back is huge and I’m really looking forward to it."

The winner of the April 5-7 tie in Namangan will earn a place in September's World Group playoffs.

Australia has lost in the World Group playoffs for the past three years.

View the original article here

Tomic ends Davis Cup exile

Exile Over ... Pat Rafter and Tennis Australia will welcome back Bernard Tomic for the Davis Cup. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

The Davis Cup standoff between Bernard Tomic and Tennis Australia is over.

Tomic, 20, revealed in Miami he will represent Australia against Uzbekistan in Namangan next month.

The Queenslander said in January he would boycott the tie in retaliation for being suspended by Cup captain Pat Rafter from February's Asia/Ocenia tie against Chinese Taipei.

Rafter, with the full support of TA, dumped Tomic for unprofessional conduct and lack of effort.

But after discussions between Rafter and Tomic, the impasse has ended.

Tomic's availability provides a serious boost to Australia's bid to break back into the World Group for 2014.

Despite saying he would wait until the middle of the year to decide on his Cup future, Tomic changed his mind.

"The Davis Cup is going to be held after this (Miami Masters)," Tomic said.

"We're going to train in Munich when everyone's done here and then play against Uzbekistan.

"It's not going to be a pretty place but I’m looking forward to it. We have got a good team now.

"I think we should win and Davis Cup is back on the roll for me and I'm going to try my heart out when it comes."

Tomic will vie for singles duties with Marinko Matosevic, provided spearhead Lleyton Hewitt remains fit to lead the team.

The Wimbledon quarter-finalist said: "It was always a dream for me to play Davis Cup at a young age and you want to represent your country whenever you can and to get the opportunity back is huge and I’m really looking forward to it."

The winner of the April 5-7 tie in Namangan will earn a place in September's World Group playoffs.

Australia has lost in the World Group playoffs for the past three years.

View the original article here

Tomic ends Davis Cup exile

Exile Over ... Pat Rafter and Tennis Australia will welcome back Bernard Tomic for the Davis Cup. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

The Davis Cup standoff between Bernard Tomic and Tennis Australia is over.

Tomic, 20, revealed in Miami he will represent Australia against Uzbekistan in Namangan next month.

The Queenslander said in January he would boycott the tie in retaliation for being suspended by Cup captain Pat Rafter from February's Asia/Ocenia tie against Chinese Taipei.

Rafter, with the full support of TA, dumped Tomic for unprofessional conduct and lack of effort.

But after discussions between Rafter and Tomic, the impasse has ended.

Tomic's availability provides a serious boost to Australia's bid to break back into the World Group for 2014.

Despite saying he would wait until the middle of the year to decide on his Cup future, Tomic changed his mind.

"The Davis Cup is going to be held after this (Miami Masters)," Tomic said.

"We're going to train in Munich when everyone's done here and then play against Uzbekistan.

"It's not going to be a pretty place but I’m looking forward to it. We have got a good team now.

"I think we should win and Davis Cup is back on the roll for me and I'm going to try my heart out when it comes."

Tomic will vie for singles duties with Marinko Matosevic, provided spearhead Lleyton Hewitt remains fit to lead the team.

The Wimbledon quarter-finalist said: "It was always a dream for me to play Davis Cup at a young age and you want to represent your country whenever you can and to get the opportunity back is huge and I’m really looking forward to it."

The winner of the April 5-7 tie in Namangan will earn a place in September's World Group playoffs.

Australia has lost in the World Group playoffs for the past three years.

View the original article here

Tomic ends Davis Cup exile

Exile Over ... Pat Rafter and Tennis Australia will welcome back Bernard Tomic for the Davis Cup. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

The Davis Cup standoff between Bernard Tomic and Tennis Australia is over.

Tomic, 20, revealed in Miami he will represent Australia against Uzbekistan in Namangan next month.

The Queenslander said in January he would boycott the tie in retaliation for being suspended by Cup captain Pat Rafter from February's Asia/Ocenia tie against Chinese Taipei.

Rafter, with the full support of TA, dumped Tomic for unprofessional conduct and lack of effort.

But after discussions between Rafter and Tomic, the impasse has ended.

Tomic's availability provides a serious boost to Australia's bid to break back into the World Group for 2014.

Despite saying he would wait until the middle of the year to decide on his Cup future, Tomic changed his mind.

"The Davis Cup is going to be held after this (Miami Masters)," Tomic said.

"We're going to train in Munich when everyone's done here and then play against Uzbekistan.

"It's not going to be a pretty place but I’m looking forward to it. We have got a good team now.

"I think we should win and Davis Cup is back on the roll for me and I'm going to try my heart out when it comes."

Tomic will vie for singles duties with Marinko Matosevic, provided spearhead Lleyton Hewitt remains fit to lead the team.

The Wimbledon quarter-finalist said: "It was always a dream for me to play Davis Cup at a young age and you want to represent your country whenever you can and to get the opportunity back is huge and I’m really looking forward to it."

The winner of the April 5-7 tie in Namangan will earn a place in September's World Group playoffs.

Australia has lost in the World Group playoffs for the past three years.

View the original article here