Davis Cup: Australia beats Czech Republic 4-1

Australia won and lost its two singles matches on Sunday to finish 4-1 winner against Czech Republic in its Davis Cup World Group tie in Melbourne.

Australia's Jordan Thompson (in picture) beat Jan Satral 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.

Australia split Sunday’s concluding reverse singles rubbers with the Czech Republic to complete a comfortable 4-1 win in its Davis Cup first round tie that set up a compelling quarterfinal meeting with the United States. Australian debutant Jordan Thompson beat Jan Satral 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 before Jiri Vesely gained a consolation win for the visitor when he defeated Sam Groth 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 at the Kooyong tennis club in suburban Melbourne.

Australia had already clinched the tie after winning Friday’s opening singles and Saturday’s doubles, allowing captain Lleyton Hewitt to let Groth replace Nick Kyrgios for the reverse singles. Groth served for the match in the second set but twice double faulted, allowing Vesely to fight back and win the match and avoid a 5-0 cleansweep.

Australia will host the US in April after the American pair of Jack Sock and Steve Johnson won their doubles match on Saturday to seize an unassailable 3-0 lead in their tie with Switzerland in Birmingham, Alabama.