Australia to face Germany on Davis Cup hard court

(FILES) Nick Kyrgios of Australia hits a return during the men’s singles against Steve Johnson of America at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on October 10, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / CHANDAN KHANNA

BRISBANEAustralia (AFP) — Australia will play Germany in the opening round of the Davis Cup World Group on hard court in Brisbane in February, organizers said Monday.

The tie is expected to pit two of the world’s leading young players against each other — Australia’s Nick Kyrgios and Germany’s Alexander Zverev, the current world number four.

Kyrgios led Australia to the Davis Cup semi-finals this year, while Zverev had his best year on tour, winning 55 matches and five titles, including two ATP Masters 1000 trophies.

“Our tie against Germany will be no mean feat and the boys will need to be in their very best form,” Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt said.

The clash will take place from February 2 to 4 at the Pat Rafter Arena.