The Final Eight stage of the ATP Cup could not have enjoyed a better start.
With group action concluding on Wednesday evening and all remaining eight teams converging in Sydney, Team Australia almost raised the new roof off Ken Rosewall Arena with a pulsating victory over Great Britain.
Australia became the first country through to the semifinals when the exciting new pairing of Alex de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios saved four match points to stop Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury.
Russia could be next to join the Aussies; they lead Argentina 1-0 in Thursday night’s quarterfinal after Karen Khachanov’s straight-sets win over Guido Pella.
De Minaur and Kyrgios' 3-6 6-3 [18-16] win, defined by a match tiebreak combining dazzling winners and tense errors, delivered Australia a 2-1 victory and set up a semifinal showdown with either Spain or Belgium.
"It was unreal. The adrenaline has kind of worn off and I'm exhausted after that match. It was awesome," Kyrgios said.
"Today was probably one of the best moments in my career, definitely. Just making it through to the semifinal, the first-ever ATP Cup in that type of fashion, was pretty special.
“We genuinely care for each other, and [our teammates] were genuinely just so ecstatic to get through."
Kyrgios was the star of the tie, opening the day’s play with a masterful display against Cam Norrie.
Kyrgios’ 6-2 6-2 win was a showcase of all that makes the Aussie great; the world No.30 mixed firepower with touch and also threw in plenty of flamboyant shotmaking to completely deprive the Brit of rhythm and control.
Nick was literally on the floor mid-point. He still won the rally. ?
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 9, 2020
WATCH: @Channel9
STREAM: https://t.co/5bsqpECkOf#9WWOS #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/WOoesl0iq8
De Minaur followed Kyrgios onto Ken Rosewall Arena and powered to a 3-0 lead against Dan Evans.
But it was not to be an easy day at the office for the host nation.
Evans dug in and what unfolded was one of the contests of the 2020 season so far; deep in the third set De Minaur saved a bundle of match points before Evans eventually clinched his fifth to score a 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(2).
That match lasted almost three and a half hours, yet incredibly, Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt selected De Minaur to return for the doubles immediately afterward with Kyrgios, rather than persist with the tried-and-tested combination of John Peers and Chris Guccione, who were undefeated so far at the ATP Cup.
It proved an ingenious decision.
In that thrilling match tiebreak, De Minaur and Kyrgios played back-to-back return winners to bring up match point, which they converted when Salisbury returned a Kyrgios serve long.
?? #TeamAustralia = first into the semifinals!@alexdeminaur/@NickKyrgios put on a gusty performance to outlast Murray/Salisbury 3-6 6-3 [18-16] and punch the final four ticket.#ATPCup | #Final8 | #GBRAUS pic.twitter.com/d7doEkPswn
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 9, 2020
"I'm going to do anything for the team. I knew that if I was going to step out on the doubles court, then I was going to make sure that I was going to be fired up, ready to go, and full of energy," De Minaur said.
"It's just amazing to see what Nick brings day after day. He's come back from an epic win against Stefanos (Tsitsipas) and today he just played clinical in the singles and doubles.
"I had a match (against Evans) that didn't go my way, but still, I couldn't have had a more supportive person after the match and even on the doubles court.
“So it was great to be on the same side of the court as Nick, and hopefully there is plenty of more times."