Australia set to take on U.S. in Davis Cup quarterfinal

Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-06 14:13:39|Editor: Mengjiao Liu
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SYDNEY, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The quarterfinal matchups for the Davis Cup have been announced on Thursday, with Australia's Jordan Thompson, ranked number 79 in the world, facing off against Jack Sock of the United States in the first match in Brisbane, on Friday.

The hotly-contested tennis event, will see Australia's Nick Kyrgios face off against American John Isner, ranked 23rd in the latest ATP rankings, in the second rubber.

The oft-controversial wunderkind Kyrgios got the better of Isner, winning in straight sets, when they last faced each other at the Atlanta Open in 2016; but Isner has the advantage in the head to head, beating the firebrand Australian, ranked 16th in the world, in their two other matchups to date.

Australia will be out for revenge in this Davis Cup matchup, after being knocked out of the tournament by the Unites States last year.

One of the doubles participants, Sam Groth, told local media the Australian team is ready for action and hoping to advance to the semi-final, despite last year's defeat remaining firmly in their minds.

"The fire is definitely burning in the guys to do well this weekend," Groth said.

The victor will move on to face either Belgium or Italy in the semi-finals of the yearly tournament, in September.

Australia will be without their second highest ranked player, Bernard Tomic, for the crucial matchup, with the pressure firmly on the young Sydney native Thompson to deliver against his higher ranked opponent on Friday.

Australia last won the Davis Cup in 2003, when now team captain Lleyton Hewitt played as part of the Australian team that defeated Spain.

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