‘This is why we love Davis Cup’ epic Mikhail Kukushkin win puts Kazakhstan up

The third quarter-final of the 2021 Davis Cup got off to an incredible start as Mikhail Kukushkin won a marathon first singles rubber.

The Kazakhstani player faced Serbian 22-year-old Miomir Kecmanovic in the opening match of their quarter-final match-up.

After more than three hours on-court and four match points each, Kukushkin eventually clinched victory 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-6 (13-11).

“This kind of match for sure is going to be special in my life,” kukushkin said in his post-match interview.

“You know, we played three hours and 18 mintues. Such a rollercoaster, I was up a break in the second set, he was serving for the match in the third set, had a lot of match points.

“I don’t even know what the score was in the tiebreak. This is why we love the Davis Cup, it’s what it’s all about, these kinds of matches.

“It’s why we give our best in Davis Cup, and I’m just so honoured to play for my country. To get a win for Kazakhstan, for us it’s very important. So, I’m just super excited.”

The result puts Kazakhstan in a position where they guarantee at least a chance to go through by winning the doubles rubber.

Alexander Bublik takes on world number one Novak Djokovic next in a tough task for the maverick talent.

But his nation’s fans will be backing Bublik with much energy, as they did with Kukushkin.

“I believe our fans are the best in the world,” Kukushkin said.

“Just look at these guys, just incredible support. That kind of support they’ve given to us for so many years, it’s special.

“That’s why [Kazakhstan] has so much success in Davis Cup. They gave me so much energy today. Thank you very much guys.”

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