Australia defeat Taipei 5-0

Tomic defeated Hsin-Han Lee 6-7(4), 6-0, 6-3 to keep his perfect Davis Cup record intact. The young Australian won his first match for his country by beating Tsung-Hua Yang in straight sets on Friday.

In the first set, the 17-year-old broke Lee in his first service game and quickly raced to a 4-1 lead. However, the 700th ranked Tai broke back with some blistering winners to level the set at 4-4. Games went on serve until the tie-breaker, where Lee was more aggressive and sealed the set with consecutive aces.

Stung by losing his first set of the tie, Tomic cruised through the second set, breaking his opponent’s serve three times. Countless winners and unforced errors form Lee helped the Australian level the match at a set-all.

Tomic continued to attack, breaking Lee in the third game of the deciding set and moved to a 3-1 lead. But the 21-year-old Tai challenged again, breaking back to square the set at 3-3 after Tomic dumped a routine forehand into the net.
Spurred on by the small, but boisterous crowd, the Aussie broke serve immediately after another Lee error. Tomic held to move ahead 5-3 and won the match with a crisp backhand winner up the line.
"It was a good start to the Davis Cup, I guess," Tomic said. "This last week has been huge for me and something that I'll always treasure.

"It's amazing to have a start like this…when I ever get the chance to play for Australia and the guys call me up I'll be ready more than ever."

Earlier, Peter Luczak defeated Yang 6-3, 6-3 on Margaret Court Arena. After almost a two hour rain delay, the Aussie veteran claimed the first comfortably, using his clinical forehand and solid serve.

In the second set, Yang broke serve early to lead 2-1. But, the 75th ranked Luczak bounced back ominously, rattling of the next four games to take a 5-2 advantage. He closed out a superb victory with an ace.

In the next round, Australia faces Japan in May after they defeated the Philippines. The winner of that tie will contest the World Group playoffs in September.

Captain John Fitzgerald was pleased with the team’s effort, and is confident Australia can reclaim a World Group place.

"I think this year we believe we can get back into the World Group if everything goes our way” he said.
 

Mark Skendaris and Vanessa Skendaris