Australia wrapped up a 5-0 win over Japan after winning both their "dead" singles matches on the final day of their Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1 tie here on Sunday. Lleyton Hewitt and Carsten Ball won their return singles rubbers for the Australians, who have qualified for the World Group playoffs in September.
Australia did not drop a set throughout the tie played on a specially-laid clay court at Pat Rafter Arena. Former world number one Hewitt, playing in his first "dead" singles rubber in 10 years, defeated Yuichi Sugita 7-5, 6-2 in 82 minutes.
Hewitt, playing in his 28th tie, improved his Davis Cup singles record to 35-9 with his two weekend singles victories. Big-serving lefthander Ball sealed the clean sweep with a 6-3, 7-6 (9/7) win over Tatsuma Ito. Ball needed three match points in a final set tiebreaker to defeat Ito in 95 minutes.
The scheduling of the Brisbane Cup tie forced Hewitt to withdraw from this week's Madrid Masters, a key leadup tournament to the French Open, starting at Roland Garros on May 23.
"At the end of the day I have to look at what is the best preparation for me to play well at the French Open," Hewitt said.
"That was a tough decision I had to make. It's about getting miles into my legs and doing the right preparation not only for this tie but the next two majors in the next couple of months." Australia lead Japan 15-2 in their Davis Cup ties and 3-0 on clay.
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