Australia too good for China in Davis Cup

11 Feb 2012, 5:48 pm   -   Source: AAP
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The gun Australian Davis Cup pairing of Chris Guccione and Lleyton Hewitt have racked up another impressive victory, this time against China.

In polar opposites Chris Guccione and Lleyton Hewitt, Australia captain Pat Rafter has uncovered a doubles combination which further strengthens a tennis team he believes is playing like a top-three Davis Cup outfit.

Guccione and Hewitt proved way too good for makeshift Chinese pairing Zhang Ze and Zhe Li on Saturday, winning 6-2 6-2 6-2 to give Australia an unassailable 3-0 lead in their Asia-Oceania qualifying tie.

The Australians dropped only 12 points in 12 service games and four of them came in one Hewitt game late in the second set of a match which lasted just 86 minutes on a cold and, at times, wet day in Geelong.

Guccione and Hewitt are unbeaten in three Davis Cup matches as a pairing, highlighted by a stunning triumph over Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka last year in Sydney.

"It was flawless doubles today," said Rafter.

"It was great, it was very clinical and I loved it."

Even though Australia still need to win another two ties just to get back into the World Group next year for the first time since 2007, Rafter believes his team is ready to make a mark.

"I said we were in the top three, I reckon," said Rafter.

"If you put anyone out there against us today, playing here, these guys are as good a chance as anyone of winning.

"I look at all the other teams that are playing at the moment and, right now, they are in as good touch as I've seen them in.

"... We knew that coming into this tie and unfortunately it had to be against China - unfortunately for them but not for us."

Hewitt said he and Guccione fed off each other's strengths.

Hewitt has always been one of the sport's great returners and is very strong off the ground and reliable at the net.

The towering Guccione brings a powerhouse left-handed serve and great volleying to the table.

"Our strengths are totally different but together it gels nicely," said Hewitt.

"That can be important in a good doubles team.

"I think Gucc lifts a little bit playing with me as well, with the energy I try and bring to the court."

It's a partnership that shapes as a potential medal winner at this year's London Olympics, although they would need a wildcard to get into the tournament.

"We're not in the Olympics at the moment so it's not my first priority," said the 30-year-old Hewitt.

"But then again, it only comes around every four years and it's probably the last time I'd play in an Olympics so, if I had the opportunity, it would be great."

Saturday's Cup tie at the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club was delayed an hour by rain and there was also a 10-minute break midway through the opening set.

Hewitt and Bernard Tomic both won their opening singles matches on Friday against Zhang and Wu Di respectively to give Australia a 2-0 lead.

Sunday's two dead singles rubbers will be best-of-three matches, with Matthew Ebden almost certain to be called up as a replacement for Hewitt.

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