SYDNEY —
Daniil Medvedev and
Matteo Berrettini both slumped to shock defeats in their
opening matches of the season at the ATP Cup on Sunday, but there were no
mistakes from Alexander Zverev.
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US Open champion
Medvedev is leading a Russian team in Sydney depleted by injuries and COVID-19
as they look to defend the teams title won against Italy last year.
But the world
number two, who captured four tour-level crowns in 2021, was stunned by
impressive 35th-ranked Frenchman Ugo Humbert despite leading by a set and 3-0.
The Frenchman
rallied to pull off a big upset 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) in a grueling 2 hours
55 minutes as Medvedev, red-faced from the heat, ran out of steam.
“It was very tough
today, but I’m very happy,” said Humbert after one of the biggest wins of his
career.
“I had some
opportunities in the first set, and I just tried to stay relaxed, stay focused
on what I had to do and it was a great match.”
With fifth-ranked
Andrey Rublev missing after contracting coronavirus at an Abu Dhabi exhibition
last month, unheralded Roman Safiullin was drafted in as Russia’s second
singles player.
He saved 15 of 19
break points to earn a 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over France’s
Arthur Rinderknech to
set the stage for Medvedev, who could be the top seed at this month’s
Australian Open if defending champion Novak Djokovic fails to show up.
Djokovic has
refused to confirm if he has been vaccinated against COVID-19, a requirement at
the opening Grand Slam of the year, and pulled out of the ATP Cup.
The tie went to a
deciding doubles rubber with Medvedev backing up with Safiullin to win and seal
the points.
Russia are in a
tough group that also includes hosts Australia and 2021 runner-up Italy, led by
world number seven Berrettini, who was also beaten, crashing to 34th-ranked
Alex de Minaur 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).
“I’ve worked
really hard to be here, I’m in the best shape of my life and ready to have a
big year,” said de Minaur, in front of a noisy home crowd.
Earlier, Italian
number two
Jannik Sinner crushed Australia’s Max Purcell 6-1, 6-3.
Happy
Only the winning nations progress to the semi-finals from each of the four
groups in the event, which runs until January 9.
In the other night
match, Zverev’s Germany were up against a British team led by
Cameron Norrie,
who had a breakout 2021 season that saw him storm through the rankings to end
at 12.
But he was no match for the world number three, who
shook off first set rust to overwhelm the Briton 7-6 (7/2), 6-1.
“It’s the first
match of the season and it’s never going to be the best match of your life, but
I’m happy,” said Zverev, who captured his second ATP Finals title in November
-- his sixth trophy of the year.
Britain’s Dan Evans
won the opening singles match against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1, 6-2.
The United States,
meanwhile, won their clash against Canada, with big-serving veteran
John Isner
thrashing Brayden Schnur 6-1, 6-3 after he stepped in at short notice for
14th-ranked Denis Shapovalov, who is still fatigued after testing positive for
COVID-19 on his arrival in Sydney.
“I’m disappointed
not to be able to play the first match, but I just didn’t feel ready physically
yet,” said Shapovalov, who later eased his way back by playing the dead doubles
rubber.
American Taylor Fritz earlier upset 11th-ranked Canadian
Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-4.
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