ATP Cup: Medvedev, Thiem, Djokovic - we look forward to these matches
The third edition of the ATP Cup will take place in Sydney from January 1st, 2022. Of the 20 best players in the world, 18 are there. That promises exciting duels. We have picked out five that we are particularly looking forward to.
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
Dec 11, 2021, 07:48 pm
Daniil Medvedev vs. Dominic Thiem, Group B
It is difficult to assume that Daniil Medvedev is going into the upcoming tennis season with a lot of momentum after the Russian's appearance at the Davis Cup final tournament in Madrid. Medvedev led his Russian team as number one to their third title without losing a single set. In 2022, the world number two can basically contest without pressure - Medvedev won his first Grand Slam tournament a few weeks ago in New York City. With Dominic Thiem , the starting position is completely different. Only Medvedev's predecessor, the US Open winner, still knows how much his injured wrist can be expected of. The first endurance test will take place on Thursday in Abu Dhabi, where Thiem will play against Andy Murray (live on ServusTV). In head-to-head, Thiem has the nose with 3-2 victories, Medvedev won the last meeting in the final of the ATP Finals 2020.
Novak Djokovic vs. Casper Ruud, Group A
Industry leader Novak Djokovic did everything during the Davis Cup finals to win the last big prize of the tennis year 2021 with Serbia. This plan failed because of Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic, but even more because of the manageable achievements of the Serbian number two. Djokovic will also face this "problem" at the ATP Cup. It is all the more important that he wins his singles matches. In the top duel against Norway and thusCasper Ruud , it is also about the world's best player knowing an up-and-coming competitor in his place. In the two previous encounters with Ruud, Djokovic has succeeded. But the Norwegian is a quick learner.
Jan-Lennard Struff vs. Denis Shapovalov, Group C
Jan-Lennard Struff gave a solid A for Germany at the Davis Cup, at the ATP Cup it would now be up to Warsteiner to send AlexanderZverev as "Wing Man" into the second individual with a lead. The odds against Denis Shapovalov are pretty good. Of the seven matches played so far, Struff has won five, most recently this autumn in St. Petersburg. Shapovalov skipped the Davis Cup break due to general exhaustion. And he's coming to Sydney with a new coach: Jamie Delgado has separated from Andy Murray and is now taking care of Shapovalov.
Jannik Sinner vs. Andrey Rublev, Group B
Of course, this matchup will only come about if Matteo Berrettini , the Italian number one, can actually play in Sydney. In Turin, Berrettini had to give because of an abdominal muscle injury against Alexander Zverev after losing the first set. For Andrey Rublev , the game break is extremely short - because the Russian will also take part in the exhibition match in Abu Dhabi. There have been two encounters between the two so far: In Vienna 2020 Jannik Sinner had to give up after only three games, the Italian retaliated in the 2021 quarter-finals in Barcelona.
Alexander Zverev vs. Taylor Fritz, Group C
Alexander Zverev didn't do much wrong in the tennis year 2021. However, there were a few matches after which you didn't know exactly why Zverev lost them. Pretty high up on that list: losing to Taylor Fritz in the Indian Wells quarter-finals. Zverev already had the triumph in the fifth major after all other favorites were eliminated, then Fritz botched in between after defending match points. Overall, it is 3: 2 between Zverev and Fritz for the German number one.