Sawt Falasteen - De Minaur says Australia ready to snap Davis Cup title drought

Australia have lifted the trophy 28 times, second only to the United States, but going the distance has long proved elusive.

They lost in the semi-finals last year to Jannik Sinner's Italy, having been runners-up in the two editions before that to Italy and Canada respectively.

Australia, captained once again by Lleyton Hewitt, host Belgium this weekend in a second-round qualifier at Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena.

"These weeks are the funnest in my schedule, that's for sure, because it's a very lonely sport throughout the year," said De Minaur, who lost in the US Open quarter-finals last week.

"For me, the ultimate goal is to lift the title. That's been a priority of mine for my whole career. That's why I prioritise these weeks, no matter when it was in the schedule."

With seven singles players and seven doubles players ranked inside the ATP top 100, Australia have the firepower to contend for a 29th crown and De Minaur believes they are well-equipped to challenge once again.

"We know we've got all the ingredients," he said. "We've shown all that we're capable of.

"A couple of years ago, we were all probably not as good versions of ourselves than we are right now. Over the years, we've kept on improving, putting ourselves in good positions, and we gel really well together.

"I think we show the passion, and when it comes to Davis Cup, we always step up."

De Minaur will be partnered in singles by 40th-ranked Alexei Popyrin, with Jordan Thompson and Matthew Ebden on doubles duty. Belgium are spearheaded by world number 46 Zizou Bergs.

The Davis Cup finals will be hosted by defending champions Italy in November, with the seven teams that win this weekend's qualifiers joining them.

In other headline clashes, a Taylor Fritz-led United States host the Czech Republic while Holger Rune's Denmark meet Spain, who will be without world number one Carlos Alcaraz who pulled out after winning the US Open on Sunday.

G.AbuHamad--SF-PST