Australia will host Hungary in their Davis Cup by Rakuten Qualifiers tie at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena, in Homebush.
All the matches will be broadcast live on 9Gem – Friday, March 4 from 5.00 pm and Saturday, March 5 from 1.00 pm.
Captained by Lleyton Hewitt, the Australian team includes world No. 30 Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin – who won his first ATP title in Singapore in 2021 – Australian Open doubles champion Thanasi Kokkinakis, Luke Saville and John Peers.
Playing for Hungary will be Márton Fucsovics, Zsombor Piros, Fábián Marozsán, Máté Valkusz and Peter Fajta, captained by Zoltan Nagy.
In front of his hometown crowd, de Minaur will be the first Australian on the court, playing Piros in tomorrow’s first match. Meanwhile, Kokkinakis will be the second, playing Fucsovics.
Saturday’s doubles match will feature Peers and Saville up against Fucsovics and Marozsán. Followed by the reverse singles, De Minaur playing Fucsovics, and Kokkinakis playing Piros.
Australia and Hungary met recently in Group D at the 2021 Davis Cup Finals in Turin, with Australia victorious.
Hewitt said in the offical program ahead of the qualifiers: “It’s exciting to have a team that we feel can go out there and get the job done for Australia. All the boys love playing at Ken Rosewall Arena… we’re looking forward to getting out there and obviously having big crowd support on our side.”
Meanwhile, de Minaur, who has the hometown advantage, said: “There is no place like playing at home, and that court gives me amazing memories. It’s definitely my favourite court to play on, for sure.”
Twenty-four nations are vying for a spot in the 2022 Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals to be held in November, which will be determined by the 12 qualifying ties taking place across five continents this weekend.
Friday broadcast will be presented by Danika Mason, while Todd Woodbridge hosts the action on Saturday. The games will also feature commentary from retired tennis stars Jelena Dokic and Mark Philippoussis.
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Top image: Team Australia alongside Team Hungary