Kazakhstan stun Aussies with 2-0 lead in Davis Cup

Darwin (AFP): Mikhail Kukushkin and Aleksandr Nedovyesov gave Kazakhstan a commanding 2-0 lead over hosts Australia after the opening singles of their Davis Cup World Group quarter-final in Darwin on Friday.

Kukushkin gave the Kazakhs the early momentum with a straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win over teenager Thanasi Kokkinakis in just over two hours.

World No. 115 Nedovyesov then stunned the 41-ranked Nick Kyrgios 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 to put Kazakhstan on the brink of reaching the Davis Cup semi-finals for the first time.

It was Kyrgios’s first loss in three matches on grass in the competition.

Australia must win Saturday’s doubles encounter to keep the tie alive in Sunday’s reverse singles.