The Australians are highly fancied against their Kazakh opponents, however dropping the first rubber is a huge blow to their cause.
Kazakhstan has won the first rubber in the #DavisCup tie against Australia after Kukushkin beat Kokkinakis 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in Darwin.
— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) July 17, 2015
World no. 63 Kukushkin edged out Kokkinakis 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 on grass in Darwin.
Nick Kyrgios will now face world no. 115 Aleksandr Nedovyesov in the second singles match, and will need to secure victory if Australia are any chance of claiming the tie.
Tough day at the office for #Kokkinakis. #Kukushkin wins the 1st rubber 6-4 6-3 6-3. #AUSKAZ #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/M9PAWK3NBN
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) July 17, 2015
Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth will face up in the doubles on Saturday, with the pair required to win if Australia are to claim the best-of-five quarter-final tie and go on to face either France or Great Britain in the final four.