50 SPORT WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14 2016 Kyrgios puts hand up to play Davis Cup

NICK Kyrgios has pledged his allegiance to Australia’s Davis Cup cause without even an- swering the question. Optimistic about his chan- ces of overcoming hip soreness to lead Australia in this week’s World Group playoff against Slovakia in Sydney, Kyrgios bristled when asked why he was available after boycotting the Rio Olympics. The world No.15 declined to offer a response, but the mess- age was clear: Kyrgios will play for Australian Davis Cup cap- tain Lleyton Hewitt but not for Olympic team boss Kitty Chill- er. In no mood to reignite his war of words with Chiller, Kyr- gios said “it means a lot” to be back on deck for his first Cup tie since last year’s quarter- final win over Kazakhstan in Darwin. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to play,” he said yesterday before a workout with Bernard Tomic at Olym- Doug Black (right) attempts a return in his victory over Greg Cousens in the Darwin Squash Masters yesterday at Darwin Squash Centre Picture: HELEN ORR pic Park. “I feel ready. I’m playing probably the best tennis I have.” A hip flexor injury cut short Kyrgios’s US Open campaign in New York, but the Austra- Territory’s best out to lian No.1 said he should be fine in time for Friday’s opening singles rubber. “I’ve hit twice since I’ve been here and been going for about an hour to an hour and a half so it’s feeling good and I’m battle Aussie masters feeling confident with it,” Kyr- gios said. “I just got a niggling injury JACK HISLOP in their team and they playoff close first game. “I’m always a be aiming for the top,” he said. that came out of nowhere al- against their opposite. slow starter and it always takes “Tony (James) our number most. (But) I feel I’ve been BRAGGING rights for the The NT’s first team of Tony me a while to warm up,” he one — no one should trouble going pretty well. I’ve been on best Northern Territory mas- James, Colin Watego and “Victoria and said. him, he should win his fairly the rise the whole year. ters team went on the line yes- Doug Black went up against “Once I get through my comfortably. “I’ve been playing well. I terday at Darwin Squash Craig Sandy, George Mikhael NSW are nerves I get into my rhythm a “If my leg can hold together feel confident and I think we Centre, as both the Territory’s and Greg Cousens in three in- bit more.” I should go OK at three and can do great things.” division one teams clashed in dividual matches. going to be Meanwhile in the other Colin will be strong at two — I If he plays, Kyrgios and the Australian Masters Cham- Black took down Cousens the teams to clashes, Watego beat Sandy think we have a good balance. Tomic will reunite in Davis pionships. convincingly (10-8, 9-1, 9-1) in (10-8, 9-4, 9-4), while top seed “Victoria and NSW are Cup for the first time since The tournament — which the third-ranked match. beat “ James triumphed over Mi- going to be the teams to beat, Kyrgios’s debut three years encompasses 440 competitors Black took an early 6-2 lead khael (9-1, 9-2, 9-4). they seem to have strong ago – and for the first time — involves state teams from in the first game, before Cou- ting the second and third Black said he had high depth. There will be some tight since Tomic accused his one- around the country. They are sens came back to level it at games, while Cousens strug- hopes the first team could fin- matches but hopefully we can time doubles partner of faking graded on past performances, 8-8. gled with an injury. ish the tournament strongly. do all right.” illness to miss Australia’s first- regardless of age or gender. Black was able to pull away Black said he was happy “We are a good chance to Play resumes today from round loss to the USA in Mel- Each player is seeded with- for a 10-8 win, before domina- with his performance despite a finish in the top three, we will 8am. bourne in March.

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