Kaohsiung, 2 February 2013 | tennis.com.au

Australia on Saturday swept to an unbeatable 3-0 lead over Chinese Taipei in their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania zone tie in Kaohsiung.

The dominant combination of Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione humbled their opponents to win the doubles rubber in straight sets.

The pair took their Cup record to 8-0 when they overcame Hsien-Yin Peng and Hsin-Han Lee 7-6(6) 6-4 6-2.

Australia took a 2-0 lead into the second day after singles wins by Hewitt and Matthew Ebden.

Davis Cup coach Pat Rafter said the doubles clash had been difficult at first with the local duo playing an unorthodox style.

“It took a while for our guys to find their game plan – also the courts are so quick,” Rafter said.

“But once Lleyton and Gooch got in the match, they were too good and the other guys couldn’t keep up for that period of time.

“Our guys didn’t actually face a break point in the whole match so that was great.”

Rafter said that despite being favourites, he was wary of the conditions and the opposition, who he expected to play above their world rankings of around 200.

“We were a bit nervous going in. You always get a bit tight going in because you’re not sure how they’re going to play.

“They can come out blasting because Davis Cup does different things to players.

“But our guys were right on and the others were outclassed, which was what I was hoping for.”

Ebden and Marinko Matosevic will line up in the reverse singles on Sunday.

Matosevic is back in the team after being dropped for the tie last year against Germany due to disciplinary reasons.

“It is good for him – even though it’s a dead rubber, he still has the pressure of representing your country,” Rafter said.

“This will be another great stepping stone in his development.”