Safiullin Comeback Sets Stage For Medvedev K.O. Blow
Unheralded Russian Roman Safiullin has seized his opportunity to play a starring role at ATP Cup, rallying from a set down to give the defending champion a 1-0 lead on Day 2 in Sydney.
The 24-year-old World No. 167 Safiullin, who got his opportunity to play following the withdrawals of Andrey Rublev and Aslan Karatsev, raised his game to topple Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 in the No. 2 singles.
World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev now has the opportunity to clinch the tie for Russia when he meets Ugo Humbert in the No. 1 singles.
Safiullin came up clutch in pressure moments, saving 15 of 19 break points he faced in the two-hour, 26-minute contest.
“It feels great to win the first match, to get the point for the team and now we wait for Daniil to go out and show his tennis,” Safiullin said. “The second set was really tight and I tried to make as many balls as I could and put pressure on him.
“Before the match Daniil said to go out and play with no pressure, just to play my best and fight for every point.”
ATP Cup format sees the No. 2 singles played first, with the No. 1 singles following. Doubles, with no-ad scoring and a match tie-break in place of a third set, is the final rubber of the tie.