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Australian captain John Fitzgerald called it the best performance from a Davis Cup rookie he had ever seen.
He even compared Carsten Ball to Australian tennis legend Neale Fraser after the 21-year-old helped keep his country’s hopes alive in their World Group play-off tie against a strong Chile outfit.
A composed Ball, the 21-year-old son of former Australian Davis Cup player Syd Ball, combined with Chris Guccione to defeat Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (10-8) 6-3 5-7 7-5 in a gripping four-hour doubles match on clay in this north Chilean mining town.
Australia was 2-0 down heading into the doubles clash.
Ball and Guccione had never played together before, while Gonzalez and Massu boasted a perfect Davis Cup record of 8-0.
“I know first-hand how difficult it is to win doubles matches on clay against players of that calibre. It is very, very difficult,” Fitzgerald noted.
He heaped praise on Ball, who showed few signs of nerves in his Cup debut in front of a passionate and vocal crowd of about 10,000.
“For me that performance was really up there and for a rookie it was one of the best I’ve seen,” said Fitzgerald.
“I think if he (Ball) gets out of a trot he can actually improve a bit too.
“I hesitate to say this but I’m going to say it anyway – I reckon he served like Neale Fraser today.
“Under pressure from a first-time player, it was an outstanding effort.
“I think today Australian tennis has found a new player.”
“I was delighted with him,” added Fitzgerald.
“He can play a major part in our core group of players for the next six to eight years.”
Ball, raised in Newport, California, said he had never paid much attention to making his Cup debut, preferring to focus on his job against world No.11 Gonzalez and Athens singles gold medallist Massu.
“It’s always been my dream to step up and play for Australia and come through for them in an important match,” said Ball, who has a world doubles ranking of 114.
“As soon as I came off the court I was a bit lost for words and actions.
“It’s a great win. To get a win like this in my first (Davis Cup) match ever really gives me a lot of confidence.”
Guccione, who has played almost eight hours of tennis in the past two days, said it was an “amazing” win.
“I always had a feeling we’d gel together pretty well with our serves and we’re both volleying pretty well,” said Guccione, Australia’s spearhead in the absence of Lleyton Hewitt.
“I think we can make a solid team for Australia.”
Chile looked ready to take out the match after leading the deciding set 3-0 and 4-2 but the Australians fought bravely to level at 5-5.
The visitors then secured the break before Ball fittingly served out an entertaining match.
The victory ensured Australia stayed alive in their tough campaign to qualify for the Davis Cup’s elite World Group for 2009.
On Sunday, Guccione will tackle Gonzalez in the opening reverse singles, while Peter Luczak is scheduled to play Massu.
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