Tomic, Hewitt cruise

Australia have taken a stranglehold on their Davis Cup first round tie with Bernard Tomic and Lleyton Hewitt both cruising to straight sets wins against their Chinese opponents on their opening day of their Asia/Oceania first round tie at the Geelong lawn tennis club.

Tomic, who made the fourth round at the recent Australian Open, defeated China’s World No.502 Wu Di 6-4 7-6 6-3.

After easing through the first set, the 19-year-old trailed 0-3 in the second but broke back in the fifth to eventually take it in a hard-fought tie break before closing out the third with little trouble.

Earlier Hewitt got Australia off to the perfect start win he beat Chinese No.1 Zhang Ze in straight sets.

Hewitt, who was playing in his record-equalling 32nd Davis Cup tie, dominated from the outset and eventually won 6-2 6-1 7-6 (7-4).

The former World No.1 flew through the opening two sets before having a tougher time of it in the third.

After surviving two break points in the sixth game, Hewitt got the set to a tie break and claimed victory when Zhang hit a forehand wide.

Hewitt will line-up in the doubles on Saturday with left-hander Chris Guccione.

Australia are aiming to return to the 16-nation world group for the first time since 2007, which they will do by winning this tie and another playoff in September.