Lleyton Hewitt can't inspire Australia to Davis Cup win v USA
Saturday 5 March 2016 08:24, UK
Doubles greats Bob and Mike Bryan gave the United States the edge in their Davis Cup World Group tie against Australia after a thrilling win over a Lleyton Hewitt-inspired team in Kooyong.
With the match level at 1-1, Aussie captain Hewitt decided to end his short-lived retirement and team up with John Peers for Saturday's doubles rubber.
And the Aussie duo produced a stirring fightback before the Bryans, who have claimed 16 Grand Slam titles as a pairing, eventually prevailed 6-3 6-3 4-6 4-6 6-3.
The US team targeted the 35-year-old Hewitt early in the match and broke his serve twice, as they eased into a two-set advantage.
But Hewitt, playing in his 42nd Davis Cup tie and Peers, playing in his first, then ignited the crowd with some rousing tennis, and an upset briefly looked on the cards as they stormed back into the contest.
However, having been pegged back, the Bryans made a crucial move at the start of the deciding set, breaking Peers to move into a 2-0 lead, before powering through the set in just 26 minutes to give America what may prove a vital 2-1 lead in the tie.
Bernard Tomic will attempt to keep the hosts in the match when he faces World No 11 John Isner in the first of the reverse singles on Sunday.
If Tomic is successful, captain Hewitt will have to decide whether to stick with the out-of-form Sam Groth or take to the court himself to face Jack Sock in the decisive rubber.
