Australia Makes Strong Comeback to Reach Davis Cup Semifinals against Czech Republic

MALAGA, Spain — Australia, on the verge of defeat, staged a remarkable comeback to secure a spot in the Davis Cup semifinals.

Despite being down, Australia rallied to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 and advance to the last four for the second consecutive year on Wednesday.

Alex De Minaur came from behind to keep Australia in the game, and then Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden won the decisive doubles match, setting up a clash with Finland on Friday.

Tomas Machac defeated Jordan Thompson 6-4, 7-5 in the first singles match to give the Czechs an early lead. However, De Minaur and Purcell and Ebden bounced back, sealing the comeback with a victory in the doubles match.

“I prided myself on a never-say-die attitude, and he’s certainly in the same category,” said Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt in praise of De Minaur. “For him to go out there and put the boys on his back again, we’re so proud of him. He had to dig really deep and yet again he saved us.”

De Minaur, the top-ranked Australian and No. 12 in the world, displayed his resilience by coming from behind in his match and refusing to give in. “It would have been quite easy for me to roll over under the circumstances, but that’s just not the type of player I am,” the 24-year-old said. “I have had plenty of these types of matches in my career. It’s part of my identity. I’m not going to give up. I’m going to fight until the end.”

Lehecka, No. 31 in the world, finished his season early to be fully fit for the last eight in Malaga.

Hewitt praised the efforts of Purcell and Ebden, saying, “That was a massive effort, not knowing if they were coming out here or not, riding the ups and downs of the first two matches and then coming out and putting on a clinic like that, it was bloody impressive.”

Australia secured its 200th tie victory in the Davis Cup, becoming only the second nation, after the United States, to reach this milestone.

Finland upset defending champion Canada 2-1 on Tuesday. Last year, Australia lost to Canada in the final after defeating Croatia in the last four.

In Thursday’s quarterfinals, Novak Djokovic‘s Serbia faces a Great Britain team depleted by injuries, while Italy takes on the Netherlands.

The second semifinal will be played Saturday, with the final taking place Sunday.