Three teenagers named in Australian Davis Cup team

Melbourne , Jan 21 (IANS) Australian captain Pat Rafter has named teenage trio Nick Kyrgios, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Jordan Thompson in his Davis Cup team to face France in the World Group first round.

Rafter Tuesday named 17-year-old Kyrgios, 18-year-old Kokkinakis and 19-year-old Thompson, as well as veteran Lleyton Hewitt and doubles specialist Chris Guccione in his team for the first-round indoor claycourt tie in La Roche-sur-Yon, western France, starting Jan 31.

“Lleyton will definitely play doubles, 100 percent,” Rafter told reporters Tuesday.

“We think that’s a pretty critical tie. Normally always is.”

Rafter believes his team has a chance of an upset.

“You never know, Davis Cup has a tradition of throwing up some upsets. When you’ve got youth and energy on your side, you have passion; you always have a chance,” he said.