Jordan Thompson will be out to get his Davis Cup career off to a good start when he takes on the dangerous Jiri Vesely with Australia hosting the Czech Republic at Kooyong. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match from 11am (AEDT).
With Nick Kyrgios the other player for Australia’s singles run, and both John Peers and Sam Groth in good doubles form, the Czechs are going to need to pull an upset from somewhere to win the tie.
For that reason, there are almost no questions they need to win this first match, which may be the most evenly matched of the weekend.
Vesely, who is ranked No.54 in the world has been in decent, but not outstanding form over the first month of 2017 with runs in Doha and Auckland before a first round crash out at the Australian Open.
Nonetheless, that loss did come to the world No.6 Gael Monfils, and given the form he was in there was no shame in that.
What does work into Vesely’s favour here is that the tie is played on the hard court. While he is better off on clay, the surface Kooyong will provide isn’t out of Vesely’s wheelhouse and if he can be consistent on his serve, landing a high percentage then he will challenge here.
Speaking of serves though, Thompson’s essentially allowed him to fight his way back from two sets down to make the second set of the Australian Open.
That came in the form of a five-set victory over Joao Souza before he crashed out at the hands of Dominic Thiem, whose power game blew him off the court.
Vesely will need to try and replicate that during this match, although he doesn’t have the same skillset as Thiem.
Despite the loss to Thiem, Thompson has been displaying some strong form with a good singles run in Brisbane before crashing out to Kei Nishikori, winning the doubles with Thanassi Kokkinakis in Brisbane and picking up a win in Sydney before losing to Philipp Kohlschreiber.
The pair have only played once previously, with the match coming in qualifying for the 2014 Sydney International, Thompson squandering a lead in that match to lose in three sets, dropping the final 6-1.
Prediction
Thompson played well at the Australian Open, but a Davis Cup tie is always a difficult exercise. If the Czechs are to win the tie then Vesely must win here, but it’s difficult to see him doing so. In saying that, don’t be surprised to see him pick up the early lead.
Thompson in five sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the first rubber in the Davis Cup tie between Australia and the Czech Republic from 11am (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment below.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Statistics Match Duration: 2 hours and 6 minutes Aces: Thompson (6), Vesely (2) Double faults: Thompson (1), Vesely (6) 1st serves in: Thompson (44/77), Vesely (59/96) Points won on first serve: Thompson (35/44), Vesely (40/59) Points won on second serve: Thompson (21/32), Veselye (11/31) Break points won: Thompson (5/12), Vesely (1/4) Winners: Thompson (20), Vesely (11) Unforced errors: Thompson (22), Vesely (46) Total points won: Thompson (101), Vesely (72)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Right, it'll be straight onto the next one here. Nick Kyrgios is lining up to take on Jan Satral, and we can expect a start there pretty shortly. You can follow the live coverage here - http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/02/03/nick-kyrgios-vs-jan-satral-davis-cup-rubber-2-live-scores-blog/ Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, JORDAN THOMPSON What a debut to the Davis Cup! An absolutely fantastic performance in the first rubber and he finishes it off with an ACE out wide! That was the danger tie you would think for the Aussies, and they will be hard to stop from here. Jordan Thompson 6 6 6 Jiri Vesely 3 3 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
2 match points! Vesely puts a forehand into the net. Thompson 6 6 5 - 40 Vesely 3 3 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Vesely now makes the error - returned serve well there but puts a forehand wide. Thompson just two points away from the match. Thompson 6 6 5 - 30 Vesely 3 3 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thompson goes the kick serve down the middle and Vesely returns the forehand wide. Thompson 6 6 5 - 0 Vesely 3 3 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Long rally here and some powerful play from Vesely as he comes to the net, Thompson finding the net on a runner out wide. Thompson 6 6 5 - 0 Vesely 3 3 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thompson has the break back! He takes the lead and will serve for the third set after the change of ends, hitting a nice forehand that's returned into the net. Thompson 6 6 5 - Vesely 3 3 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
This match going back and forth right at the moment. Thompson now with the break point as he puts some intent into a forehand, Vesely returning long from well off the court. Thompson 6 6 4 - AD Vesely 3 3 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Vesely with a fault, then a body serve and Thompson returns pretty deep into the court. Vesely now with a backhand that goes long. Thompson 6 6 4 - Vesely 3 3 4 - deuce (1)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thompson having to play defence now and he puts a backhand into the net. Thompson 6 6 4 - 30 Vesely 3 3 4 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Vesely with a double fault. Just a lot of errors right at the moment. Thompson 6 6 4 - 30 Vesely 3 3 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Much better serve from Vesely here. Down the middle and Thompson returns the backhand wide. Thompson 6 6 4 - 15 Vesely 3 3 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thompson grabs the first point now before Thompson returns with plenty of depth, then hits a nice backhand before coming forward for a forehand and finding the net. Thompson 6 6 4 - 15 Vesely 3 3 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thompson with a fault and then a body serve. Vesely puts in a few good shots, Thompson a backhand into the net and the racquet cops a bashing into the court. Vesely breaks back and we are level again in the third. Thompson 6 6 4 - Vesely 3 3 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Thompson before Vesely returns with plenty of depth, gets a rally going and Thompson puts a ball long. Just a bit of pressure on here. Thompson has elected to challenge the ball that was called out - well out though. 2 break points. Thompson 6 6 4 - 15 Vesely 3 3 3 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
An error on the forehand now from Thompson as he sends one long. Thompson 6 6 4 - 15 Vesely 3 3 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thompson with a serve down the middle that draws a short return. He runs around it, makes it a forehand then cracks it into the corner for the winner. Thompson 6 6 4 - 15 Vesely 3 3 3 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thompson closing in on the victory now. Serving with new balls as Vesely changes racquet. Thompson starts with a fault followed by one at the body. Good return of serve and then Thompson finds the net on a forehand. Thompson 6 6 4 - 0 Vesely 3 3 3 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great work from Vesely - some wonderful movement from Thompson as well, but he eventually can't reach the passing volley hit deep into the court. Thompson 6 6 4 - Vesely 3 3 3 -