3 February 2017 | tennis.com.au

Jordan Thompson has made a dream Davis Cup debut and given Australia a 1-0 lead in their first round tie against the Czech Republic at Kooyong.

The 22-year-old, who was called up when Australia’s No.2 Bernard Tomic made himself unavailable for selection, swept top-ranked Czech Jiri Vesely 6-3 6-3 6-4.

Thompson said it was the biggest win of his career: ”The summer has been pretty good but playing for your country is amazing and getting us off to a 1-0 lead is even better.”

Thompson, ranked 65th in the world, looked right at home in the green and gold as he broke world No.54 Vesely in the opening game of the match.

The Australian barely lost a point on his serve in the first set and ahead 5-3, used his main weapon – a booming cross-court forehand – to wrap up it up in 35 minutes.

Vesely, who was off his game with some wild ground-strokes, had to save three early break points but Thompson hit pay dirt on his seventh of the set and again went up 5-3 before serving it out.

The Czech, who beat former world No.1 Novak Djokovic last year, left the court between sets although showed no sign of injury.

Thompson broke him early in the third to go ahead 3-2 but then lost concentration to hit four unforced errors and allow Vesely to level at 4-4.

However the Australian hit straight back, breaking again before serving out the match with an ace to the delight of his mentor, captain Lleyton Hewitt.

Nick Kyrgios, Australia’s top-ranked player, faces world No.157 Jan Satral in the afternoon’s rubber.