- Captain’s pick wins close tie against USA’s Ben Shelton
- But Alex de Minaur loses to Fritz to set up decider
Thanasi Kokkinakis has vindicated his surprise captain’s call to keep Australia’s Davis Cup title hopes alive with a nerve-shredding victory over big-serving American Ben Shelton in Spain.
Kokkinakis saved four match points before finally converting on the sixth of his own in a tension-filled and vital 6-1 4-6 7-6 (16-14) win in the opening singles rubber of Australia’s quarter-final tie in Malaga.