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Australia will look to remain in the Davis Cup World Group with a win in their playoff tie against Uzbekistan in Perth. Join The Roar for a live blog of the crucial tie from 12:00pm AEST.
After losing to France in the World Group earlier in the year, in a 5-0 defeat, Australia must now defeat Uzbekistan to return to the elite group for the 2015 Davis Cup.
A loss would send Australia back to the Asia/Oceania group which they were a part of from 2008 to 2013.
Australia’s history at this stage of the completion, in recent times, has been poor. Since the introduction of the playoff system in 1981, Australia has played in it 13 times.
The record overall is 6 wins and 7 losses but the last 6 ties have seen Australia lose 5 of them.
The drought was broken last year when Bernard Tomic led the Australians to a return to the World Group with a win over Poland.
The assignment this year is Uzbekistan who defeated China in the Asia/Oceania group to qualify for the playoff.
The tie is being played on grass at the Cottlesloe Tennis Club in Perth. It is the first ever tie at the club and a big honour for them.
Australia’s team for the event is Nick Kyrgios, Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Groth and Chris Guccione.
Thanasi Kokkinakis is the hitting partner for the team during the tie.
Today it is all about the singles with Kyrgios and Hewitt the two in action for Australia today.
After the draw yesterday, Kyrgios faces Denis Istomin, with Hewitt facing Farrukh Dustov.
Here is a quick stats guide to the players playing today.
Nick Kyrgios vs Denis Istomin
Head-to-Head: First meeting
This is going to be a big match-up and crucial to the outcome of the tie. If Uzbekistan is to win the tie then Istomin will need to win almost all of his matches.
With him playing doubles and singles, three wins this weekend from him, will win the tie for the Uzbeks.
Looking to stop him will be Australia’s best performing Grand Slam player this year. Kyrgios has been brilliant at Wimbledon and the US Open, making the quarter finals and the 3rd round respectively.
His form over the last few months has been outstanding and he is 15 wins and 3 losses since the first Nottingham Challenger in June.
Istomin will be a tough challenge though.
He is no slouch on grass, and has made the 4th round at Wimbledon in 2012.
This match will be all about the serve. Both players have a strong serve and whoever serves the best out of the two will win the match.
How Kyrgios handles the occasion will also be important.
He showed signs of pressure during the US Open and almost defaulted his match against Mikhail Youzhny in Round 1.
Rafter will make sure he doesn’t do that though today.
I’d favour Kyrgios to win the match and he is the favourite with the bookies.
It may take four or five sets but the Australian will get the job done.
Lleyton Hewitt v Farrukh Dustov
Head-to-Head: First meeting
This will be a tough match for Dustov to win. Dustov has never beaten a top 50 opponent and is 10 wins and 12 losses against Australians in his career.
Hewitt is currently ranked 48 in the world.
In the last 12 months, Dustov has played five matches against Australians, and won only two of them.
Those wins came against John-Patrick Smith and Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Hewitt will be a tougher proposition than those two players and he is always a tough prospect on grass.
Dustov can cause trouble to Hewitt though and his serve will give him free games today.
Expect tiebreakers in the match.
With the match being on grass, and Hewitt a great returner to a fast serve, he should defeat Dustov.
In Davis Cup matches, with Hewitt being the highest ranked player in the contest, you can never back against him.
His record and passion for the event is always a big factor in these matches.
I see that continuing and Hewitt to win in four sets.
PREDICTION: Australia to take a 2-0 lead with close victories against their rivals.
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