10 Takeaways From Day 5 At The ATP Cup

Action in Groups C, D and F was completed on Day 5 at the ATP Cup, with 12 countries contesting their final group stage ties. With Russia and Great Britain confirming their places alongside Australia and Serbia in the final eight and a number of countries battling to finish as one of the two best second-place finishers, fans in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney were treated to an action-packed day at the ATP Cup.

Here are 10 of the biggest takeaways from Day 5:

1) Russia Books Sydney Spot: Karen Khachanov and Daniil Medvedev once again proved to be the perfect singles combination for Russia, with both men claiming their third singles victories in Group D to take the top spot. Khachanov dropped just three games to cruise past Viktor Durasovic, before Medvedev moved past Casper Ruud 6-3, 7-6(6).

2) Great Britain Tops Group: Great Britain sweeped all six sets against Moldova to win Group C. After Cameron Norrie’s 6-2, 6-2 win against Alexander Cozbinov, Daniel Evans beat Radu Albot by the same margin. Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury almost made it three 6-2, 6-2 victories, overcoming Albot and Cozbinov 6-2, 6-3.

3) Undefeated Aussies: Australia made it nine out of nine in Brisbane to head to Sydney with full confidence. John Millman and Nick Kyrgios both edged their singles encounters in final-set tie-breaks, with Millman defeating Michail Pervolarakis 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(1) and Kyrgios overcoming Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6(7), 6-7(3), 7-6(5).

4) Brisbane Classic: Kyrgios and Tsitsipas produced one of the matches of the ATP Cup at Pat Rafter Arena on Tuesday night. The two-hour, 34-minute contest featured no breaks of serve, 43 aces and a selection of highlight-reel points.

5) Belgium In Pole Position: Following Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen’s decisive 3-6, 6-4, 10-7 win against Grigor Dimitrov and Alexandar Lazarov, Belgium finished Group C in second place. Before Day 6 play, Belgium currently owns the best record among the second-placed teams. The two best second-placed finishers will advance to the Final Eight in Sydney.

6) Bulgarian Heartbreak: Bulgaria entered its final Group C tie against Belgium with its fate in its own hands. But Dimitrov’s men could not find a way past Belgium to top Group C. Dimitar Kuzmanov started the tie with a dominant 6-0, 6-3 win against Steve Darcis, before David Goffin’s three-set triumph against Dimitrov. Gille and Vliegen’s doubles win over Dimitrov and Lazarov pushed Bulgaria into third position in Group C.

7) Canada In The Mix: Canada currently occupies the second-best record among the second-placed teams after securing a 2-1 win against Germany. After Jan-Lennard Struff beat Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-1, 6-4, Denis Shapovalov levelled the tie with an impressive 6-2, 6-2 triumph against Alexander Zverev. The 2019 Rolex Paris Masters runner-up returned to the court with Auger-Aliassime to defeat Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies 6-3, 7-6(4).

8) Italy Out: Italy went out of the ATP Cup in style on Day 5, dropping just one set to defeat the United States 3-0. After Stefano Travaglia upset Taylor Fritz 7-6(3), 7-6(1), Fabio Fognini overcame John Isner 6-4, 7-6(5). Simone Bolelli and Fognini ended Italy’s campaign with a 6-4, 6-7(5), 10-3 victory against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram. Italy cannot qualify for the Final Eight as fellow second-placed countries Belgium and Canada own better records heading into Day 6.

9) ‘It’s Really Cool’: During Albot and Cozbinov’s doubles loss to Murray and Salisbury, Team Moldova requested a Video Review following a foot-fault call against Cozbinov. It was at this point that Albot decided he wanted to get a closer look at the technology, climbing umpire Aurelie Tourte’s chair to examine the evidence for himself.

10) Over And Out: Seven countries exited the ATP Cup on Day 5 after completing their final group stage ties. In Group A, Germany and Greece left the competition, while Bulgaria and Moldova ended their campaigns in Group C. Group D contenders Italy, Norway and the United States were also eliminated.