After demolishing Lleyton Hewitt in the opening round, Aussie Sam Groth will look to continue his good form when he faces Poland’s Lukasz Kubot at the Brisbane International. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:30pm AEDT.
Groth’s straight sets victory over Hewitt in the opening round was arguably the most powerful display by any Australian thus far at the Brisbane International.
Hewitt simply had no answers to Groth’s power game and the two-time grand slam champion was eliminated from the tournament in just under an hour’s play.
Groth’s serving in particular was devastating. His highest serve was clocked at 231km/h and he regularly hit the 227-228km/h mark with his first serves. While Hewitt is recognised as one of the best returners on the ATP tour, he had little defence against a serve that ranks arguably as the strongest in the men’s game.
It wasn’t just Groth’s serving however that impressed. His groundstrokes from the forehand and backhand side were just as strong and his forays into the net were productive. He played an intelligent and clinical brand of tennis against a great opponent and should target a few more wins at the Brisbane International.
Kubot meanwhile is more recognised for his exploits on the doubles circuit. He is the reigning Australian Open doubles champion and is capable of causing the odd upset or two on the ATP tour. Indeed Kubot made the quarter-finals at the 2013 Wimbledon championships, which proves that he can be a dangerous floater if his game is underestimated.
The Polish player has already caused an upset this week by claiming the scalp of Kevin Anderson, so Groth will have to be on his game yet again to secure the win.
Quite simply though, if Groth is able to replicate the form he showed against Hewitt, he should progress to the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International.
Groth in straight sets.
Alan
Roar Guru
Great win for Groth in a very tight contest here. High quality as well. Kubot played a high quality match. He returned very well today and put Groth under pressure but the Australian still produced some great play when it counted and he is through to the quarter-finals! Great stuff Groth under pressure. Groth now has a date with Milos Raonic. A battle between two of the biggest servers on the ATP tour! Groth 6 6 7 Kubot 4 7 6
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND MATCH GROTH Groth 6 6 7 Kubot 4 7 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Kubot well wide with the backhand there after he produced a great return! Free point and its three match points Groth! Groth 6 6 6 Kubot 4 7 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Groth with a super serve and volley and its 5-3! Just what he needed Groth 6 6 6 Kubot 4 7 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Groth long with the backhand slice return and its 4-3 Groth still.... Groth 6 6 6 Kubot 4 7 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Groth nets a pretty simply backhand volley and its 4-1 Groth. Still in charge... Groth 6 6 6 Kubot 4 7 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Superb from Groth and its 4-0. Well done Groth. Keep it up! Groth 6 6 6 Kubot 4 7 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Kubot with a massive error at the net as he nets the backhand volley! 3-0 Groth! Groth 6 6 6 Kubot 4 7 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Groth with a superb backhand lob and its 2-1 now mini-break! Groth 6 6 6 Kubot 4 7 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Tiebreaker time. Kubot my favourite at this stage. Groth with the passing backhand shot with Kubot at the net. 1-0 Groth Groth 6 6 6 Kubot 4 7 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Looks like we are going to a tiebreaker here and I have to say that I look Kubot's chances if I was a betting man. He just looks the more confident at the moment. His play at the net also very strong. Kubot holds easily. Groth 6 6 6 Kubot 4 7 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Groth just wide with the whipping forehand down the line. 30-0 Kubot. Groth 6 6 6 Kubot 4 7 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Groth well wide with the return and its 15-0 Kubot Groth 6 6 6 Kubot 4 7 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Good serve and volley for 40-0. Great service game from Groth so far. Superb serve and volleying yet again and he holds. Groth 6 6 6 Kubot 4 7 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Groth with two gun serves for 30-0 Groth 6 6 5 Kubot 4 7 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Kubot with an ace down the tee for 40-0. He has served very well today. Not giving away anything. He holds easily. Groth 6 6 5 Kubot 4 7 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Kubot yet again too good at the net. Races to 30-0 Groth 6 6 5 Kubot 4 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Groth now with a chance to put pressure on the Kubot serve. It has been tight from the get go. Kubot close to his best here if not at his best. Groth to his credit has not fallen away since losing the second set Groth 6 6 5 Kubot 4 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Groth holds as Kubot returns extremely well! Groth's play at the net solid when it counts. Groth 6 6 5 Kubot 4 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Deuce now as Kubot produces quality tennis with a great return! Then he finishes the point off with the backhand lob. Too good. Groth 6 6 4 Kubot 4 7 4