Medvedev bounces back with win over De Minaur in ATP Cup

The US Open champion was in imperious form as he shrugged off his loss to Ugo Humbert in his opening match

AI / Reuters / Panoramic

January 4, 2022

ATP Cup 2022 | Results| Schedule

US Open champion Daniil Medvedev returned to winning ways in Sydney on Tuesday as he beat Alex De Minaur 6-4, 6-2 in the ATP Cup.

Having been beaten by Frenchman Ugo Humbert in his season-opener – only to win the doubles to secure the win for Russia – Medvedev turned on the style as he held off the world No 34 and a noisy home crowd.

“To be honest before the match I was not feeling great but I knew I had to go out, try to win,” Medvedev said. “I took some painkillers and tried to play some good tennis, I played four hours, 30 the other day, singles and doubles, that’s the only reason.”

Masterful from the world No.2 🇷🇺@DaniilMedwed delivers the tie for #TeamRussia, defeating Alex De Minaur 6-4, 6-2.#ATPCup pic.twitter.com/Kz676go9SF
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 4, 2022

Medvedev’s win also secured an unassailable 2-0 lead for Russia, Roman Safiullin having fought his way to a 7-6 (6), 6-4 win over James Duckworth in the opening rubber.

The Russian raced to a 3-0 lead, winning 10 of the first 12 points but to his credit, De Minaur dug in well, getting one of the two breaks back to trail 3-2.

But Medvedev always had the upper hand and an answer to anything De Minaur threw at him and after winning the first set with another big ace, he stormed to a 5-0 lead in the second.

De Minaur showed great fight to break back and then save two match points to cut the deficit to 5-2 but Medvedev closed the door on his next service game to secure a convincing victory.

ATP CUP 2022, Group B

Italie 3-0 France
Sinner (ITA) b. Rinderknech (FRA) : 6-3, 7-6 (3)
Berrettini (ITA) b. Humbert (FRA) : 6-4, 7-6 (6)
Berrettini/Sinner (ITA) b. Martin/Roger-Vasselin (FRA) : 6-3, 6-7 (7), 10-8

Russie 3–0 Australie
Safiulin (RUS) b. Duckworth (AUS) : 7-6 (6), 6-4
Medvedev (RUS) b. De Minaur (AUS) : 6-4, 6-2
Medvedev/Safiulin (RUS) b. Peers/Saville (AUS) : 7-6 (7), 3-6, 10-6

1- Russia : 2 vict., 0 déf. (matchs : 5-1, sets : 9-4)
2 – Italy : 1 vict., 1 déf. (matchs : 4-2, sets : 8-5)
3- Australia : 1 vict., 1 déf. (matchs : 2-4; sets : 5-8)
4- France : 0 vict., 2 déf. (matchs : 1-5, sets : 4-11)

ATP CUP 2022, Group C

Germany 2–1USA
Struff (GER) d. Isner (USA) : 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-5
Zverev (GER) d. Fritz (USA) : 6-4, 6-4
Fritz/Isner (USA) d. Krawietz/Puetz (GER) : 6-0, 6-3

Canada 2–1 Great Britain
Evans (GBR) d. Shapovalov (CAN) : 6-4, 6-4
Auger-Aliassime (CAN) d. Norrie (GBR) : 7-6 (4), 6-3
Auger-Aliassime/Shapovalov (CAN) d. J.Murray/Salisbury (GBR) : 6-4, 6-1

1- USA : 1 vict., 1 def. (matches : 4-2, sets : 9-5)
2- Great Britain : 1 vict., 1 def. (matches : 3-3, sets : 6-6)
3- Germany : 1 vict., 1 def. (matches : 3-3, sets : 6-7)
4- Canada : 1 vict., 1 def. (matches : 2-4, sets : 5-8)