Alex de Minaur produced a blistering performance on Pat Rafter Arena on Saturday as he thrashed Poland’s Maks Kasnikowski 6-3, 6-0 to give Australia the early advantage in their World Group I Davis Cup tie in Brisbane.
The world No. 9, who had flown into the weekend seeking a return to form after a disappointing second-round exit at the US Open, controlled the match from the outset. De Minaur’s combination of pace, court coverage and pressure on Kasnikowski allowed him to close out the contest in straight sets with a one-sided second set.
Later on the same day James Duckworth, standing in for Australia in the reverse singles, was edged out by Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak in a tight three-set contest. Majchrzak recovered from a first-set loss to take the match 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in a contest that lasted around two hours, leveling the tie at one rubber apiece.
The outcome leaves the World Group I encounter finely poised after two singles rubbers, with Australia having claimed the first point through de Minaur but unable to secure a second in the evening session. The tie will continue with remaining rubbers to decide which nation advances. The result will be especially important for Australia, who approached the Brisbane tie as a must-win fixture.