DARWIN, Australia — Sam Groth sent Australia's Davis Cup quarterfinal with Kazakhstan to a fifth-match decider with a 6-3, 7-6 (6), 4-6, 7-6 (6) win Sunday over Mikhail Kukushkin.
Groth was a late substitute for Nick Kyrgios, who faced criticism for his on-court demeanor in Friday's loss in the second singles match against Kazakhstan, as well as at Wimbledon, where he was fined nearly $10,000 for racket abuse and swearing.
Kazakhstan led 2-0 on the outdoor grass courts after Friday's singles. Australia reduced the deficit when Groth and Lleyton Hewitt won Saturday's doubles.
In the deciding singles, captain Wally Masur replaced Thanasi Kokkinakis, who lost his singles match Friday in straight sets, with the veteran Hewitt.