Olympic champions John Peers and Matt Ebden reunited to secure a remarkable Davis Cup victory for Australia in Sweden, clinching the tie with a dominant doubles performance that sealed a 3-1 triumph. Their win propelled the Australian team into the next round, where they will face either Belgium or Chile in a home tie.
Australia had already built a strong 2-0 lead following Friday’s singles matches, where Alex de Minaur and Aleksandar Vukic delivered comfortable victories. On Saturday, the spotlight turned to the doubles, where Peers and Ebden, both gold medalists from the Paris Olympics, combined for only the second time as a Davis Cup partnership. Despite falling behind a set to Sweden’s Filip Bergevi and Andre Goransson, the Australian duo staged an impressive comeback, winning 6-7 (7-9), 6-3, 6-2.
The victory ensured a 3-1 win for Australia and secured their place in the second qualifying round, which will be held in September. The chance to play on home soil for the first time in at least three years was a significant motivator for the team. “Belgium and Chile are both super tough teams, so we’re going to watch that tie, but the most important thing is we were all here fighting as a team to get a home tie in September,” said Ebden.
The tie in Sweden marked a milestone for Australia, as it would be their first home tie in three years. The last time the Davis Cup was played in Australia was when the team triumphed over Hungary in Sydney. The opportunity to play in front of passionate Australian fans again was a source of excitement for the players. Ebden reflected on the significance of the home tie, emphasizing that it was not only about the individual victories but also about coming together as a team to bring the Davis Cup back to Australia.
Despite Sweden’s spirited efforts, led by a passionate home crowd, there was little chance of a comeback after the dominant performances from de Minaur and Vukic in the opening singles matches. The veteran duo of Ebden, 37, and Peers, 36, had plenty of experience to draw upon. Both had spent years at the top of the doubles game, with Ebden once holding the world No. 1 doubles ranking and Peers reaching No. 2. Their teamwork was evident as they quickly regained momentum after dropping the first set in their doubles match.
The first set saw the Swedes push the Australians to the brink. Both Bergevi and Goransson earned the match’s only break point, which the Australians were able to save. However, the Swedes were clinical in the tiebreaker, taking it on their third set point. The loss spurred Peers and Ebden into action, and they broke the Swedish serve early in the second set. From there, they never looked back, dominating the final set to secure the win in straight sets.
“The key was to stay patient and keep fighting. Every match here has been a battle,” said Peers, acknowledging the support of the Aussie fans, who created an electric atmosphere in the stands. He also expressed gratitude for the fans’ unwavering encouragement throughout the contest.
After the doubles match, Peers, who had recently claimed an Australian Open mixed doubles title, took the opportunity to play a rare singles match. This marked his first-ever Davis Cup singles appearance, a move that was welcomed by his teammates. With no singles matches remaining for de Minaur, Vukic, or Kokkinakis, Peers stepped in to provide some entertainment for the Swedish crowd, taking on Leo Borg, the son of tennis legend Bjorn Borg. Despite a valiant effort, Peers ultimately fell to Borg in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, in just over an hour.
The tie marked an important milestone for Peers and Ebden, who had previously played together just once in Davis Cup competition seven years ago. Their victory in Sweden was a testament to their enduring partnership and commitment to the Australian team. Peers and Ebden’s success, combined with the dominant singles performances, ensured that Australia would be advancing to the next round of the Davis Cup.
Looking ahead, the team will focus on their upcoming challenge in the second qualifying round. Regardless of who they face – either Belgium or Chile – Australia will be eager to secure another victory and, with it, the opportunity to represent their country in the November Finals. For the players, the prospect of playing at home again is a thrilling one, and they will be determined to build on the momentum from this triumph. The team’s strength, unity, and determination were on full display in Sweden, and they are excited to continue their journey toward Davis Cup glory.
