Hewitt back for Davis Cup
2.37PM  6-9-2010
Hewitt back for Davis Cup

Australia's bid to rejoin the Davis Cup World Group has been boosted by the announcement that Lleyton Hewitt will lead the team that will take on Belgium in Cairns later this month.

Hewitt has joined Carsten Ball, Peter Luczak and Paul Hanley in the side that will contest the tie for a spot in the competition's elite.

Also included in the squad are orange boy Ben Mitchell and Marinko Matosevic who will act as the hitting partner during the tie that begins on September 17.

"We are confident that we have a good strong team capable of winning our way back into the World Group," Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald said.

"We have been building toward this tie all year and will be well and truly ready to go by the time we hit Cairns."

The 536th ranked Chris Guccione was not included in the side with Davis Cup coach Todd Woodbridge suggesting that Hanley's flexibility won him the spot.

"We know that Paul's very adaptable with anybody and the doubles facet is going to be really important here," Woodbridge said.

Woodbridge said that he was happy with Guccione's endeavour but it wasn't enough to win him selection.

"I've been really happy with the effort he's put in. Unfortunately he needed another couple of matches to be picked."

"There's also the fact he's getting married next weekend and wouldn't have arrived back into Cairns until the Wednesday (before the Friday start)."


With Hanley set to play doubles it appears that the 118th-ranked Luczak and 145th-ranked Ball will fight it out for the second singles spot.

Hewitt has won 35 singles matches in Davis Cup history for Australia but was recently a first-round loser to Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu at the US Open.

Australia were relegated from the World Group after losing to Serbia in 2007 and found themselves in the second-tier Asia-Oceania regional zone after losing 3-2 to Chile in 2008 and forfeiting in India last year because of security concerns.

Belgium's Xavier Malisse will not participate in the tie due to personal issues but Belgium are expected to name Olivier Rochus and Steve Darcis to play singles who are ranked 74th and 105th respectively.

 
Comments
Submit a comment
Name
Email
Comment
Progressive On-line Car Insurance
Aussie Disposals
Yellow Express
LIVE SCORES
AUDIO
08-02-12
Archie Thompson  (8.00)
Melbourne Victory Striker Archie Thompso...
07-02-12
Patrick Dangerfield  (7.55mins)
Pat had a chat to the boys regarding Ade...
07-02-12
Jason Cunningham in with this weeks tips...
07-02-12
Jason Cunningham in with this weeks tips...
07-02-12
Sin City  (6:39)
Rebecca Wilson called up with this weeks...
07-02-12
Scott McGrory  (8:47)
Track Cycling Gold medalist and Fox Spor...
07-02-12
The Biggest Loser trainer Michelle Bridg...
07-02-12
The Biggest Loser trainer Michelle Bridg...
07-02-12
Pat Cummins  (12.22mins)
Injured Australian pace-man Pat Cummins ...
07-02-12
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson joined ...
07-02-12
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson joined ...
07-02-12
USA Boxing Writer Mike Marley joined Raf...
07-02-12
USA Boxing Writer Mike Marley joined Raf...
07-02-12
Billy Dib  (7.46)
Billy Dib joined Radio Rigside to chat a...
07-02-12
Jon Holland  (6.44)
Bushrangers Spin Bowler joined Finey & G...
07-02-12
Peter Young  (11.41)
Peter Young Cricket Australia General Ma...
06-02-12
Eddie and Bryce continued......
06-02-12
Bryce and Eddie were onsite at Roxburgh ...
06-02-12
The Aces have pulled off a great comebac...
06-02-12
The boys from the Heart were out at Hyun...
06-02-12
ACA CEO Paul Marsh  (4m33s)
With a few of our cricketer's in limbo w...
06-02-12
Dave Davutovic  (10m4s)
Dave Davutovic gives Marko and The Ox hi...
 

CONTACT US      PRIVACY POLICY


SEN SportSENtral

Sportal Australia