Czech injury pullout aids Aussie efforts

A Czech injury pullout helped Australia to a 2-0 win over the east Europeans on Thursday as Thanasi Kokkinakis led the way to victory in Davis Cup group play.

The success in Valencia looks like seeing the Aussies through into the eight-nation Finals in Malaga in two months.

Kokkinakis started off the afternoon as he drubbed teenaged talent Jakub Mensik 6-2 6-7 (2-7) 6-3. 

.The definitive Aussie win took just eight minutes as national No. 1 Tomas Machac – who had already retired with cramping this week against Carlos Alcaraz – pulled out for a second time to hand a tie victory to Alexei Popyrin.

Machac took to the court with a heavy strapping and did not last for long, taking a medical timeout only minutes into the action after losing the opening game.

Montreal masters champion Popyriun earned an Aussie win after playing just nine points.

Machac was playing for the already unavailable Jiri Lehecka, missing with illness..

Australia could clinch a trip to the finals with a win over Spain at the weekend. the side is missing alex de Minaur, still trying to fully heal his hip injury suffered at Wimbledon.

A Czech injury pullout helped Australia to a 2-0 win over the east Europeans on Thursday as Thanasi Kokkinakis led the way to victory in Davis Cup group play. 

The success in Valencia looks like seeing the Aussies through into the eight-nation Finals in Malaga in two months.

Kokkinakis started off the afternoon as he drubbed teenaged talent Jakub Mensik 6-2 6-7 (2-7) 6-3. 

.The definitive Aussie win took just eight minutes as national No. 1 Tomas Machac – who had already retired with cramping this week against Carlos Alcaraz – pulled out for a second time to hand a tie victory to Alexei Popyrin.

Machac took to the court with a heavy strapping and did not last for long, taking a medical timeout only minutes into the action after losing the opening game.

Montreal masters champion Popyrin earned an Aussie win after playing just nine points.

Machac was playing for the already unavailable Jiri Lehecka, missing with illness..

Australia could clinch a trip to the finals with a win over Spain at the weekend. the side is missing Alex de Minaur, still trying to fully heal his hip injury suffered at Wimbledon.

Main photo:- Thanassi Kokkinasis winning in Valencia – by ITF