Thompson and Vesely to open Davis Cup tennis tie

Melbourne (AFP) – Australian youngster Jordan Thompson will open proceedings against Czech Jiri Vesely in their Davis Cup World Group first-round clash on Friday, with firebrand Nick Kyrgios playing the second rubber.

It is a tough task for Thompson, on his Davis Cup debut, against a player ranked 54 in the world and with plenty of experience.

Thompson has been thrown into the fray on the hardcourts at the Kooyong club in Melbourne after Australian number two Bernard Tomic made himself unavailable.

Kyrgios said having captain Lleyton Hewitt on the sidelines should help the 22-year-old with any butterflies.

“He’s going to feel nervous but I’ve got no doubt he’s going to play a great level,” he told reporters.

“Having Lleyton on the side helps a lot. Having a guy that’s been there, done that and achieved everything in the game, to have that on the side of the court, he’s going to understand everything and that’s what it’s good for.”

Kyrgios, who hasn’t played since a spectacular Grand Slam meltdown at the Australian Open last month, will follow Thompson on court against another debutant in Jan Satral.

The world number 15 was picked despite being slapped with US$5,500 in fines for swearing and throwing his racquet after his extraordinary second-round defeat at the opening Grand Slam of the year.

Satral took the second singles spot for the Czech Republic ahead of veteran Radek Stepanek, with world number 12 Tomas Berdych opting not to play.

Stepanek partners Zdnek Kolar in the doubles on Saturday against Sam Groth and John Peers, who is fresh from winning the men’s doubles title with Henri Kontinen at the Australian Open.

The reverse singles take place on Sunday.

Australia have won seven of eight previous meetings between the two countries — including a 3-2 success in 2015 at Ostrava.

Draw:

Friday (from 0000 GMT)

Singles 

Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Jiri Vesely (CZE)

Nick Kyrgios (AUS) v Jan Satral (CZE)

Saturday (from 0100 GMT)

Doubles 

Sam Groth/John Peers (AUS) v Zdnek Kolar/Radek Stepanek (CZE)

Sunday (from 0000 GMT)

Singles

Nick Kyrgios (AUS) v Jiri Vesely (CZE)

Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Jan Satral (CZE)