Alex de Minaur, Lleyton Hewitt and Max Purcell at the 2023 Davis Cup Finals

By | Niranjan Bhargav 23 Nov, 2023

Lleyton Hewitt and Max Purcell praised Alex de Minaur’s exploits during Australia’s quarterfinal match against the Czech Republic in the 2023 Davis Cup Finals.

On Wednesday, November 22, the Australian team survived a tremendous challenge from their Czech rivals to advance to the Davis Cup Finals semifinals for the second year in a row.

Jordon Thompson of Australia began the three-match series against Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic. The World No. 56’s effort was futile, as he was defeated 4-6, 5-7.

With Australia only one match away from elimination, Alex de Minaur is on the court against Jiri Lehecka. For the most part, the Acapulco champion trailed and was one game away from loss as Lehecka served for the match at 6-4 and 5-3.

De Minaur had turned the turnaround at this moment and went on to win the second set 7-6 (2) in a tiebreak. He then defeated the Czech in the deciding set, winning 4-6, 6-6 (2), 7-5.

The last doubles rubber thus determined the fate of the tie. Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden of Australia faced Czechs Adam Pavlasek and Jiri Lehecka. The double specialists won in straight sets [6-4, 7-5] for their country.

Former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, the team’s captain, thanked Alex de Minaur for tipping the scales in their favor. He also likened the compatriot’s tenacity to his own.

“I take pride in my never-say-die attitude, and he’s certainly in the same league.” We’re very proud of him for going out there and putting the lads on his back again. He had to dig incredibly deep to save us yet again,” Hewitt stated during the press conference.

Max Purcell said the World No. 12’s efforts inspired him to go all out in his doubles match.

“It would have been hard to look at Alex in the hotel if we hadn’t won,” he said with a laugh.

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