The ATP Cup does not really unleash passions but its first day, Saturday January 4, allowed the stars of world tennis to shine. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have thus ensured for their entry into the running in Australia in this new competition between nations which claims to impose itself as heir to the former Davis Cup.
In Perth, the no 1 world defeated Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 7-5, and made Spain take its first step towards the final phase of the ATP Cup, a month and a half after winning its direct competitor, the Davis Cup new formula.
Roberto Bautista brought the first point to Spain earlier by tearing down 6-0, 6-0 Aleksandre Metreveli. The confrontation in the pocket for Spain, Nadal was therefore able to save himself and let Feliciano Lopez and Pablo Carreño take the third point in doubles.
Same formality for Djokovic. Nadal's runner-up in the ATP ranking made Serbia win by defeating South African Kevin Anderson in Brisbane 7-6, 7-6, after Dusan Lajovic's 3-6, 7-6, 6-3 victory over Lloyd Harris . Like Nadal, "Djoko" dropped the double, won by the pair Nikola Cacic-Viktor Troicki.
Spain and Serbia are therefore well off to advance in the competition, where 24 nations are divided into six groups of four between Brisbane, Sydney and Perth. The top eight teams from the group stages will then advance to direct elimination in Sydney.
France dominates Chile
In the battle of the generations, the grumpy men of the circuit – Federer does not participate – show for the moment a face much more offensive than the young wolves, less than a month from the Australian Open.
While Daniil Medvedev and Denis Shapovalov carried Russia and Canada on Friday, Alexander Zverev (Germany) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) both tripped and compromised their chances of qualifying in the next round.
In Saturday’s other confrontations, the Croats dominated Dominic Thiem’s Austria. The no 4 world fell against Borna Coric 7-6, 2-6, 6-3, after the victory 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 of Marin Cilic against Dennis Novak.
France defeated Chile 2-1 thanks to singles victories by Benoît Paire and Gaël Monfils. Argentina dominated Poland 2-1 despite defeat of leader Diego Schwartzman against Hubert Hurkacz (4-6, 6-2, 6-3), and Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka defeated Uruguay 3-0 Cuevas brothers.
