Rising star Nick Kyrgios will feel like the weight of the nation is on his shoulders when he kicks off Australia’s Davis Cup World Group play-off against Uzbekistan in Perth on Friday.
Kyrgios has been drawn to face world No.55 Denis Istomin in the first rubber, with Lleyton Hewitt to take on world No.133 Farrukh Dustov later in the day.
Hewitt will then join forces with Chris Guccione in the doubles on Saturday to take on Istomin and Dustov.
The winner of the tie will guarantee themselves a spot in the elite 16-nation World Group for next year.
The loser will face a year in the Asia/Oceania Zone Group, where they will have to scrap for the chance to play in another World Group play-off.
Kyrgios is just 19-years-old, but he’s already had some big-match experience.
At Wimbledon this year, Kyrgios beat then World No.1 Rafael Nadal on the way to the quarter-finals.
And then at the US Open, Kyrgios was able to overcome a bout of the temper tantrums to make it to the third round.
Kyrgios said the pressure surrounding the Davis Cup was a different kettle of fish to the grand slams.
“I’d say there’s probably a bit more pressure on Davis Cup,” Kyrgios said on Thursday.
“You are playing for your country, and you are also playing for the guys around you.
“You’re just trying to do everything possible to get the win, so I think there’s more pressure.
“But it’s exciting to have the opportunity to get us back into the World Group and play a quality player like Denis.
“It’s going to be a fun match and I’m looking forward to it.”
Australia enter the play-off as warm favourites, especially on their preferred grass surface.
But team captain Pat Rafter said his team’s superior ranking would mean nothing once the matches start.
“On paper we win, but it doesn’t make any difference when you get out there on court,” Rafter said.
“It’s going to be a tough tie.
“We know that these guys are good players. And what happens when you play Davis Cup, some players will lift, and some players will suffer under the strain of it.
“Istomin is a very good player, and Dustov plays better than his ranking when he plays Davis Cup, so we have to be prepared for that.”
Australia beat Uzbekistan 3-1 on enemy territory during the Asia/Oceania semi-final on clay last year.
Istomin said his side were desperate for revenge, and he said he would have no issues playing three days in a row if that’s what’s required to win.
Uzbekistan have never made it through to the World Group stage, and Istomin said a win over Australia would give tennis in his country a massive boost.
AUSTRALIA v UZBEKISTAN WORLD GROUP PLAY-OFF (rankings in brackets)
*AUSTRALIA: Lleyton Hewitt (49), Nick Kyrgios (53), Sam Groth (97), Chris Guccione (850).
*UZBEKISTAN: Denis Istomin (55), Farrukh Dustov (133), Ismailov Temur (527), Fayziev Sanjar (736).
ORDER OF PLAY
*FRIDAY: Kyrgios v Istomin; Hewitt v Dustov
*SATURDAY: Hewitt/Guccione v Istomin/Dustov
*SUNDAY: Hewitt v Istomin; Kyrgios v Dustov
DAVIS CUP TITLES
*Australia: 28
*Uzbekistan: 0 (never been in World Group)
AUSTRALIAN DAVIS CUP RECORDS
*Most total wins: Lleyton Hewitt (54)
*Most singles wins: Lleyton Hewitt (40)
*Most doubles wins: Todd Woodbridge (25)
*Most ties played: Lleyton Hewitt (37)
*Most years played: Lleyton Hewitt (16)
