Thanasi Kokkinakis won his second singles match to help Australia down Czechia in the Davis Cup

It’s a case of no Alex de Minaur no worries for the resurgent Australian Davis Cup team with two wins from two ties.

Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia celebrates. Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images for ITF.

Thanasi Kokkinakis made it two wins from two matches as Alex de Minaur’s Davis Cup replacement to steer his team to a win over Czech Republic and a step closer to November’s finals.

After Kokkinakis opened the clash in Valencia up with a three-sets win, Australia’s top-ranked player, Alexei Popyrin, was only on court for eight minutes when his opponent, Czech No.1 Tomas Machac, pulled out with an injury.

That sealed the crucial group stage win for captain Lleyton Hewitt’s men, which was made perfect with another doubles win for dynamic duo Matt Ebden and Max Purcell who took their Davis Cup record together to 8-1 with a straight sets victory, and a 3-0 clean sweep of the tie.

Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia celebrates. Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images for ITF.

Having been asked to step up by Hewitt after an injury forced de Minaur to withdraw, Kokkinakis, chosen ahead of high-ranked teammate Jordan Thompson, took care of rising teenage star Jakub Mensik in an impressive 6-2 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 victory first up.

“Thanasi was fantastic in the first match,” Hewitt said.

Mission accomplished 🫡@TKokkinakis gives Australia a 1-0 lead as he defeats Mensik in three sets in Valencia #DavisCup | @TennisAustraliapic.twitter.com/GPzIIeZHt1

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 12, 2024

Kokkinakis said he felt the need to repay the faith show by his captain.

“To step up and get two points on the board is massive,” he said.

“Big up to Lleyton for trusting me and giving me the run. Al of us could have played, that’s the beauty of tennis in Australia right now. We are all having great years.”

The victory means Australia, who were Davis Cup finalists last year, are in a powerful position to reach the eight-team finals week ahead of a final tie against a Spanish team led by Carlos on Sunday.

If Spain beat France on Friday, the Aussies’ ticket to the finals will be guaranteed.

But should France steamroller the hosts, and Australia lose 3-0, the dream could be killed off.

Originally published as Thanasi Kokkinakis won his second singles match to help Australia down Czechia in the Davis Cup