2000 Davis Cup Story

We start off the story of 2000 in Zurich. John Newcombe's team to take on Switzerland are Mark Philipoussis, Lleyton Hewitt, Sandon Stolle and Wayne Arthurs. They are raring to get to Switzerland's Roger Federer, George Bastle, Lorenzo Manta and Michel Kratochvil. Newcombe has described this tie as a danger tie, because although Australia are expected to win, never count out Switzerland from making the upset of the century . On February 5th, things will become clear. Can Australia keep things rolling well into 2000 or will Switzerland put an end to Newk's dream of successfully defending the cup?

VS

Australia win 3-2

Lleyton Hewitt d George Bastl

Roger Federer d Mark Philipoussis

Roger Federer/Michel Kratochvil d Wayne Arthurs/Sandon Stolle

Lleyton Hewitt d Roger Federer

Mark Philipoussis d George Bastl

The next chapter of our story finds us in Adelaide, to play the Germans, again a team which should not be taken lightly. It is to be played on grass, a surface that isn't the German's strength. The Aussie team of Lleyton Hewitt, Pat Rafter, Wayne Arthurs and Mark Woodforde will take on Rainer Schuttler, David Prinosil, Marc Kevin Goellner and Michael Kohlmann. Tommy Haas pulled out with a hip injury.

VS

Australia wins 3-2

Lleyton Hewitt d Michael Kohlmann 6-1 6-1 6-2

Wayne Arthurs d David Prinosil 7-6 3-6 7-6 6-7 11-9

Mark Woodforde/Pat Rafter d David Prinosil/Marc Kevin Goellner 6-3 6-3 2-6 6-7 10-8

Rainer Schuttler d Lleyton Hewitt 2-6 6-3 6-4

Michael Kohlmann d Wayne Arthurs 7-5 7-6

Semi final time and the Aussies will be in Brisbane, again on grass, to take on the danger team, Brazil. This team knocked out last years runners up, France, and are defintely going to put in a huge showing in Brisbane. The Aussie team will be made up of Lleyton Hewitt, Pat Rafter and Mark Woodforde and Sandon Stolle in the doubles. Mark Philipoussis pulled out with an injury

VS

Australia wins 5-0

Patrick Rafter d Gustavo Kuerten 6-3 6-2 6-3

Lleyton Hewitt d Fernando Meligeni 6-4 6-2 6-3

Woodforde/Stolle d Kuerten/Oncins 6-7 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-4

Lleyton Hewitt d Andre Sa 6-4 6-1

Patrick Rafter d Fernando Meligeni 6-3 6-4

Australia had a dream year so far, but now for the toughest assignment of all, they were taking on Spain in Barcelona. Spain had never been successful in their quest for the davis cup and they knew that this was a huge chance for them to break through on their home turf. The aussies are without their best clay court player Mark Philipoussis after a feud started over him missing the semi final, causing him to declare he will not be available for the final.

VS

Spain wins 3-1

Lleyton Hewitt d Albert Costa 3-6 6-1 2-6 6-4 6-4

Juan Carlos Ferrero d Patrick Rafter 6-7 7-6 6-2 3-1 (Rafter retired through injury)

Balcells/Corretja d Woodforde/Stolle 6-4 6-4 6-4

Juan Carlos Ferrero d Lleyton Hewitt 6-2 7-6 4-6 6-4

Spain won the Davis Cup for the first time ever, and yet at the same time lost a lot of respect from people around the world for their disrespect to the Australian team and for their crowds unsportsmanlike behavior towards the Australian Team