Australia and Hungary are level at 1-1 following the first day of their Davis Cup qualifying tie.
Alex de Minaur got the home team off to a strong start with a win over Zsombor Piros before Thanasi Kokkinakis lost a thriller to Márton Fucsovics.
The tie now hangs in the balance, with the three games on Saturday to decide which country progresses to the 2022 Davis Cup Finals.
It was a clinical display from Alex de Minaur to hand Australia the early advantage, winning 7-5 6-2.
The world No. 30 broke Piros' serve in the 12th game of the first set, avoiding an unwanted tiebreaker.
He then pulled away in the second set, claiming the match after one hour and 23 minutes.
Placement @alexdeminaur 💯
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) March 4, 2022
Captain @lleytonhewitt approves ✅#DavisCup #byRakuten | @TennisAustralia pic.twitter.com/owrysAP2sb
In the second singles match-up of the night, Thanasi Kokkinakis pushed his No.1-ranked Hungarian opponent to three sets, ultimately losing 7-6 (7-4) 1-6 6-3.
The Australian lost the first set in a tense tiebreak, before flipping the script on Fucsovics in the second set, claiming it 6-1.
Playing his first Davis Cup match since 2015, Kokkinakis used a medical timeout upon falling behind 3-0 in the deciding set.
He then broke back immediately, before frustratingly dropping serve the next game.
🇦🇺 Australia 1 v 1 Hungary 🇭🇺
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) March 4, 2022
Marton Fucsovics claims victory in a three-set battle over Thanasi Kokkinakis, setting the scene for a big day two at Ken Rosewall Arena.@DavisCup pic.twitter.com/CmaOuJLEzI
Australia and Hungary return to Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday, with a doubles match and two reverse singles matches ahead of them.
Lleyton Hewitt's team may be favourites in the tie, but still have plenty of work ahead of them.
With a crucial singles match between the two countries' No.1s ahead, Alex de Minaur explained that he is up for the challenge.
"Before the tie, that was probably the match a lot of people were waiting for," de Minaur said.
"We had a battle last Davis Cup and we get to do it again.
"We're both playing for pride and passion and for our country ... let the best man win."
Play continues on Saturday from 1:00pm AEDT:
John Peers/Luke Saville (AUS) v Márton Fucsovics/Fabian Marozsan (HUN)
Alex de Minaur (AUS) v Márton Fucsovics (HUN)
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) v Zsombor Piros (HUN)
