The 47th Davis Cup meeting between Australia and the United States of America gets underway at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane when Jordan Thompson takes on Jack Sock in the first rubber. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 12pm – midday (AEST).
Thompson got his Davis Cup career off to the perfect start in February when he won both matches and assisted Australia to a 4-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Kooyong.
That followed an impressive Australian Summer and Open campaign, with Thompson rising through the rankings to at one point be sitting just outside the top 50.
It’s all gone a little pear-shaped recently though only winning two of his last eight matches through the American hard court season and dropping away to be world No.79. Thompson’s last two losses have been particularly frustrating as he had to retire against Mikhail Kukushkin at Indian Wells and then lost to Yoshihito Nishioka at Miami.
Arguably, they are two games Thompson should have won and while he fights hard every time he steps on the court, his serve has been lacking and the errors have been building. Still, playing under Lleyton Hewitt should bring the best out of him.
Sock, on the other hand, has been in fantastic form during his home season since helping the USA to knock off Switzerland 5-0 in their first round tie.
Currently sitting at No.15 in the world, Sock took out the tournament at Delray Beach at the end of February before reaching the semi-finals at Indian Wells and quarter-finals at the Miami Open, only losing to two of the greats – Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who fought it out in the final at Miami.
While the American struggled a little at the Australian Open to start the season, losing to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the third round, it’s been mainly positive since.
Sock’s ability to control points on the back of an aggressive baseline style and big serve has been booming in recent months and if that continues, Thompson will need to produce something special.
The interesting thing to note is that both players have held good form throughout 2017 at home. Thompson had his best ever ATP Tour result in Brisbane, and so he will feel at home throughout the tie. Whether that’s enough for him to knock off either Sock or John Isner is anyone’s guess.
Prediction
Thompson will fight hard as he always does, but Sock just has too much power and too much class. The United States to get the perfect start.
Jack Sock in four sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Davis Cup from 12pm – midday (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments throughout the course of the coverage.
Brissie Bay
Guest
Great effort from Thommo, probably the biggest win of his career to date.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Great win there by Thompson, good to see Australia get a win first up.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, that'll do it for the first rubber. Thanks for joining me here and hopefully you enjoyed the call. It's straight onto the next match now with Nick Krygios taking on John Isner. Join me here. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, JORDAN THOMPSON What a win! Jordan Thompson has Australia up 1-0! Sock another error to finish it all off and this tie has been flipped on its head. The crowd hails their hero. It took 3 hours and 3 minutes and all of a sudden, Kyrgios is under a lot less pressure this afternoon. Jordan Thompson 6 3 7 6 Jack Sock 3 6 6 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
Longer sort of rally now with a bit of everything before Sock gets stuck on the court and sends a forehand wide. Match point for Thompson! Thompson 6 3 7 5 - 40 Sock 3 6 6 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thompson attacks the body with a kick serve this time and Sock can't get over the forehand, sending it wide. Thompson 6 3 7 5 - 30 Sock 3 6 6 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Double fault now for Thompson. Thompson 6 3 7 5 - 15 Sock 3 6 6 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thompson now sprays a forehand wide. Challenges it, but that was way out. Thompson 6 3 7 5 - 15 Sock 3 6 6 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thompson starts with a wide serve and Sock returns with a forehand into the net. So, pivotal first point to Thompson. Thompson 6 3 7 5 - 15 Sock 3 6 6 4 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sock with a great service game. Holds to love with Thompson spraying returns all over the place. Thompson to serve for the match now though. Thompson 6 3 7 5 - Sock 3 6 6 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Thompson now just a single game away from a huge upset. Thompson 6 3 7 5 - Sock 3 6 6 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sock with a bit of luck off the net that time. Thompson defended brilliantly to get back into the point after a great return of serve, but there was no getting to the last ball. Thompson 6 3 7 4 - 40 Sock 3 6 6 3 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Longer rally this time, but Sock not controlling points from the baseline as he normally does. Sends the forehand long. Thompson 6 3 7 4 - 40 Sock 3 6 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
A body serve this time and Sock just looks flat. Gets a few balls back in, but then puts a forehand into the net. Thompson 6 3 7 4 - 30 Sock 3 6 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thompson serves down the T now and Sock can't get the return back over the net as he reaches into the backhand. Thompson 6 3 7 4 - 15 Sock 3 6 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, Sock will find a way to hold serve as Thompson returns the serve into the net, but he looks less than good out there at the moment. Thompson 6 3 7 4 - Sock 3 6 6 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sock just gave up on that. Not the best drop shot from Thompson either, but Sock looked like he didn't want to know about it. He looks physically shot. Thompson 6 3 7 4 - 30 Sock 3 6 6 2 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thompson now can't get to a backhand up the line. Thompson 6 3 7 4 - 15 Sock 3 6 6 2 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Shot! Sock tries to come inside the court and Thompson is brought forward as well, but instead of going crosscourt hits the winner straight back up the line. Thompson 6 3 7 4 - 15 Sock 3 6 6 2 - 30