Davis Cup: Australia return to World Group

Warsaw, Sep 16 (IANS) Bernard Tomic defeated Poland’s Lukasz Kubot to cement Australia’s return to the Davis Cup World Group for the first time since 2007.

Tomic, 20, defeated Polish No.1 Kubot 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-3 on Sunday to give Australia an unassailable lead in the best-of-five World Group playoff tie on clay. Tomic, Australia’s top ranked tennis player, fought against Kubot, coming back from 1-5 down to win the second set, reports Xinhua.

He then won four straight games to level at 5-5 before prevailing in a tight tiebreaker, as he converted his first set point with a winner down the line. It was Tomic’s second singles victory in the tie, after he and Lleyton Hewitt gave Pat Rafter’s side a 2-0 lead on the opening day.

The victory means Australia will return to the top 16 next year for the first time since 2007.

“He’s starting to come of age,” Australia’s Davis Cup team captain Rafter said, who believes he has a squad capable of staying in the top-tier.

“Our team looks stronger when Bernard starts to play like that and the way Lleyton’s playing. You’d have to think if we get the right surface and a home match, then we can get back and stay in the World Group for a few more years.”