- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Join The Roar as we provide live scores, and a blog, for Australia’s must win clash against Uzbekistan, away from home on the clay in Namangan.
After defeating Chines Taipei in Taiwan in February, Australia now faces an away trip to Uzbekistan to face the Uzbek team which features World Number 46, Denis Istomin.
Australia is boosted by the return of Bernard Tomic after missing the last Davis Cup tie following disciplinary issues between him and the team.
He is joined by Marinko Matosevic, who has been chosen ahead of Lleyton Hewitt, with Matthew Ebden the other man in the squad.
Conditions in Namangan are not ideal for the Australians, with the Aussies forced to live in a two star hotel for the duration of the event. They have also been told to not consume or be in contact with the water in the city as it isn’t ideal in the area.
They also face an imposing record, with Uzbekistan not losing on clay at home, and Australia only winning 4 out of their last 10 clashes on the surface.
The two teams have faced before, in 1998, here in Australia with the Green and Gold whitewashing the Uzbeks 5-0 in Townsville on hard courts.
Uzbekistan doesn’t have a huge history with the Davis Cup after only entering the competition in 1993 after the disbanding of the Soviet Union.
They have made the World Group playoffs on 6 occasions – including last year – but have never made it to the 16 team World Group.
The winner of this tie will qualify for that playoff – to be held later in the year – with Australia facing its sternest test in Davis Cup competition for a while.
The doubles and the matches against Denis Istomin hold the key to this match. Istomin holds a great record against three of the Australians – Bernard Tomic hasn’t beaten him – and is the biggest threat to Australia’s passage to the playoff.
Stopping him will ensure success for the Australians.
It will be close but I’m going for an Australia to win 3-2.
Opening ceremony Namangan style #ausvuzb #daviscup twitter.com/TennisAustrali…
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) April 5, 2013
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.