Davis Cup returns to Sydney for crucial qualifying tie
Sydney will host Australia's first Davis Cup home tie in more than three years when Alex de Minaur spearheads a qualifying showdown with Belgium in September.
Ranked No.2 in the world, Australia will chase a fourth straight berth in the Davis Cup Final 8, this year being staged in Bologna in November, when they host the Europeans at de Minaur's beloved Ken Rosewall Arena on September 13-14.
The tie will be played on hard court, with two singles matches on the Saturday, followed by doubles and reverse singles on Sunday.
In February, Australia defeated Sweden 3-1 to reach the qualifying stage.
"I'm looking forward to playing in Sydney, it's no secret Ken Rosewall Arena is my favourite court," de Minaur said.
"I have some amazing memories competing there, and to be back in Australia in September is going to be a lot of fun.
"We haven't played Davis Cup at home since 2022, so it means a lot. We are hungry as ever to qualify again for the finals and really give it everything."
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The Advertiser
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Thompson, an accomplished grasscourt performer whose body has been beaten up over a tough season, had won his opening-round contest on Monday against American Aleksandar Kovacevic but lost out in the last-16 from a set up and despite having held two match points against Canada's Gabriel Diallo 4-6 6-1 7-5. Thompson, a two-time finalist in the event, had his chance when holding match points on return at 5-4 in the final set, but Diallo kept his nerve to win 13 of the final 16 points and seal victory in two hours eight minutes. "I played some really good tennis, he's a very tricky opponent on the grass, it's a surface that suits him well," said Diallo. "I knew I had to be really sharp. I came really close to losing on my serve but I managed to come up with some good points and carry that momentum." 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Thompson, an accomplished grasscourt performer whose body has been beaten up over a tough season, had won his opening-round contest on Monday against American Aleksandar Kovacevic but lost out in the last-16 from a set up and despite having held two match points against Canada's Gabriel Diallo 4-6 6-1 7-5. Thompson, a two-time finalist in the event, had his chance when holding match points on return at 5-4 in the final set, but Diallo kept his nerve to win 13 of the final 16 points and seal victory in two hours eight minutes. "I played some really good tennis, he's a very tricky opponent on the grass, it's a surface that suits him well," said Diallo. "I knew I had to be really sharp. I came really close to losing on my serve but I managed to come up with some good points and carry that momentum." 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