Kokkinakis to open against Czechs

Young Australian star Thanasi Kokkinakis. Source: David Cronin / News Corp Australia

FIRST-TIME Davis Cup captain Wally Masur has made a shock selection for this weekend's group tie against the Czech Republic.

Thanasi Kokkinakis, 18, will be Australia's number two singles player behind Bernard Tomic in this weekend's world group tie against the top-ranked Czech Republic in Ostrava.

Kokkinakis, who has never played a live Davis Cup rubber, will be the first Australian on court at the Cez Arena when he takes on the Czech number one Lukas Rosol, ranked 31 in the world, on Friday night AEST.

At first glance it would seem a major gamble by Masur, especially as the 133-ranked Kokkinakis only came into the squad last week with the withdrawal of Australia's rising star Nick Kyrgios, but he says the decision is part of an overall tactical plan to outstay the Czechs over the three day tie.

Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic (L) and Czech tennis player Lukas Rosol. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

The Czech Republic, who won the Cup in 2012 and 2013 and were semi-finalists last year, have been weakened by the withdrawal of world number nine Tomas Berdych and the experienced Radek Stepanek. Jiri Vesely, ranked 45, has been chosen as the Czech's number two singles player and is expected to also partner Rosol in Saturday's doubles.

By playing Kokkinakis first-up and relying on world 38 Tomic to continue his five match unbeaten Davis Cup streak on hardcourt, Masur will be able to put the fresh pairing of Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth up against Rosol and Vesely who face the prospect of playing on every day of the tie. He will then have the option of using Hewitt or Groth for the final singles match on Sunday if required.

"We feel we have a team that is fairly equally matched," Masur said. "They can share the workload over three days, so playing Thanasi was a decision made looking at the opposition and the tie in its entirety.

"There wasn't much in it to be honest. All three of the other guys could have played that second singles spot behind Bernie. Everyone hit the ball really well at training but I just go back to sharing the workload.

"I feel like there is a decision to be made after the doubles. We can have a look at the tie and see how we're sitting. Practice was really tight, they were splitting sets. The form of Thanasi and Bernie has been particularly good in the lead-up tournaments so that was encouraging.

"This is my first tie as a captain but I've been involved in Davis Cup a long time and it really struck me from the first day to the last how well all the boys were playing so it was a difficult decision."

(LtoR) Australian tennis players Thanasi Kokkinakis, Lleyton Hewitt, Samuel Groth, Bernard Tomic and team captain Wally Masur. Source: AFP

For Kokkinakis, whose only previous Davis Cup court-time was a straight sets loss to France's Julien Benneteau in a dead rubber last year, opening Australia's campaign in front of a packed stadium of rabid Czech supporters is a huge jump, but he is excited by the prospect.

"It's definitely a big job and obviously a real important one but I feel I've trained hard and played well these last few weeks," he said. "I played in the dead rubber in France and had a taste of it, so I'm really looking forward to getting out and playing."

His fellow singles player Tomic has no doubt the pair will be up to the job.

"It's an amazing feeling to play Davis Cup," he said. "I've always played my best tennis in this event. I missed last year but for me to be here again right now is very motivating.

"Kokk's got a big job ahead of him and I'm sure he'll get it done. After that I have to step out on the court and really bring back those memories of when I've played in the past. I sure I'll play well but it's going to be tough, no doubt about that."

Wally Masur. Source: News Limited

Thursday's draw also pits Jiri Vesely against Bernard Tomic on indoor hardcourt in the eastern city of Ostrava.

The 133th-ranked Kokkinakis is a surprise choice for Australia captain Wally Masur, who also has Lleyton Hewitt and big serving Samuel Groth available.

Kokkinakis made the team as a substitute for the injured Nick Kyrgios.

The Czechs are without Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek, the stalwarts who led them to the title in 2012 and 2013.

In Saturday's doubles, Czech rookies Adam Pavlasek and Jan Mertl will face Groth and Hewitt.

Reverse singles are on Sunday.

The winner will play Italy or Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals in July.

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