ATP Cup: Djokovic, Zverev, Nadal - we are particularly looking forward to these matches
Twelve teams with twelve of the top 13 players in the world. The ATP Cup from February 1st, 2021 promises great tennis. We have picked out five match-ups that we could enjoy.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jan 22, 2021, 06:23 pm
# 1: Fabio Fognini vs. Benoit Paire
Yes, it might just be the meeting of the second best players from Italy and France. But both Fabio Fognini and Benoit Paire are able to call up a playful fireworks display. Or simply to let the work on the court rest because you are not satisfied with a referee's decision, a failed backhand or the general world situation. The Italian and French team-mates will ensure that this is not the case. Above all, the L´Équipe Tricolore distinguished themselves with their fantastic team spirit at the first ATP Cup in 2020. In a direct comparison of the two veterans, Paire is ahead with 3: 1 wins.
# 2: Novak Djokovic vs. Alexander Zverev
It wasn't that long ago that Zverev and Djokovic faced each other in a significant match: At the ATP Finals in London, the direct duel was about who would reach the semifinals. Djokovic prevailed against Zverev, but lost to Dominic Thiem in the semifinals. At the premiere of the ATP Cup in 2020, the performances of the two group opponents in 2021 could not have been more different: Djokovic won all of his six matches and led the Serbian team to the title. Zverev, on the other hand, was eliminated with Germany in the preliminary round, losing to Denis Shapovalov , Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alex de Minaur. In a direct comparison with Zverev, Djokovic leads with 4-2 wins. Small side note: Serbia and Germany will also meet in the final round of the Davis Cup.
# 3: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Rafael Nadal
The ATP Cup 2020 was rather mediocre for Stefanos Tsitsipas. Although the Greek won his game against Alexander Zverev, the arguments with Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov were to the detriment of Tsitsipas. What is most likely to be remembered, however, is a freak out by the now 22-year-old, in which Father Apostopolos got his share. Such negative emotional outbursts are alien to Rafael Nadal . The Spanish matador led his team into the final last year, but had to admit defeat to Novak Djokovic and Serbia. By the way, Tsitsipas was only able to win one of the previous seven games against Nadal: 2019 on ashes in the Caja Magical of Madrid.
# 4: Daniil Medvedev vs. Diego Schwartzman
The Russian has proven that Daniil Medvedev is rarely averse to a verbal battle at the latest at the US Open 2019. There Medvedev almost forever forfeited the audience, and it wasn't until late in the final against Rafael Nadal that he regained sympathy. But Medvedev also had a verbal skirmish with Diego Schwartzman - at the ATP Cup 2020. In terms of sport, that didn't hurt either of them in retrospect: Schwartzman is among the top ten and reached his first major semi-final in Roland Garros. And Medvedev closed the year with the tournament victories in Paris-Bercy and at the ATP Finals. Wherever he defeated Schwartzman, and pretty smoothly. In the all-time record, Daniil Medvedev leads 5-0.