Bernard Tomic and Thanasi Kokkinakis to open Australia’s Davis Cup singles campaign

The World Group semi-finals of Davis Cup will kick-off with Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis facing Brit Andy Murray on Sept. 18, Friday at 1200 hours GMT.

The Emirates Arena of Glasgow is expected to have a full-house with both Britain and Australia looking to cement their spot in the finals. The visitors’ captain Wally Masur picked Kokkinakis and Bernard Tomic to start their singles campaign, while Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth will take the doubles opener.

Kokkinakis is revved to prove his mettle after a dismal loss in the quarter-finals opener to Kazhakhstan.

“Andy’s a great player and a huge challenge,” the 19-year-old told ABC. “I’m going to go out aggressively. I know his game and he knows mine so it’s going to be a good match.”

Tomic is scheduled to play Daniel Evans in the second round today. The world 300th rank Evans has had a good record this year, winning 31 of his past 36 matches. His confidence at winning against 23rd ranked Tomic would be high too, if his last win against the Australian is any proof.

The two players clashed in the 2013 US Open, where Evans beat Tomic in the second round. This might be the reason for his selection for the first day, above higher ranked James Ward and Kyle Edmund.

British captain Leon Smith strategised well when he chose Jamie Murray instead of the younger Andy Murray for the doubles opener. Jamie will be paired with Dom Inglot against Australia’s Hewitt and Groth. Captain Smith holds a strong key for a British win this championship, with the Murray brothers still fresh from the US Open 2015 rush.

Both countries will look for a solid start at Glasgow, with this being Australia’s first semi-finals since 2006 and Britain’s ultimate chance at claiming their 10th championship title.

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