Jordan off to top start

Jordan Thompson helps Australia through to Davis Cup quarter finals.

CHERRYBROOK  tennis sensation Jordan Thompson has made his hometown proud after helping Australia through to the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup with two brilliant matches in Melbourne.

Thompson, 22 – who stunned audiences in this year’s first round of the Australian Open – went up against Czech No. 1 Jiri Vesely in the first rubber of the weekend’s Davis Cup event, after being called up to replace Bernard Tomic in the squad.

Thompson beat Vesely in straight sets, 6-3,6-3,6-4 in what was his Davis Cup debit.

Thompson said the experience was “unbelievably satisfying”.

“That was the best feeling in my life, I reckon,” he said.

Jordan Thompson in action against Jan Satral during the Australia vs the Czech Republic Davis Cup first round match. Picture: AAP Image/Joe Castro

“It was huge to get off to a great start, break the first game and then hold.

“That really relaxed me, and I really took it from there and ran away with the match.”

Australia team captain Lleyton Hewitt said Thompson was rewarded for his efforts.

“Tommo handled the situation brilliantly today and played some great tennis,” Hewitt said.

“He’s done the work and he put in a massive pre-season before the Australian summer – and this was his reward.”

But the local champion did not stop there.

Thompson came up against Jan Satral in the fifth rubber of the tie on Sunday, which he won 7-6, 6-2.

Thompson and his Australia teammates won the tie 4-1 and will now take on the US in the Davis Cup quarter-finals in April.