Travaglia Gives Team Italy Early Lead In Perth

Stefano Travaglia gave Team Italy the advantage in its bid to secure a first Group D tie win on a hot Sunday in Perth at the inaugural ATP Cup.

World No. 84 Travaglia lost just two of his first-service points (15/17) against Viktor Durasovic of Team Norway in a 6-1, 6-1 victory over 57 minutes at the RAC Arena, where temperatures hit 34°C (93°F).

Fabio Fognini, whose wife, former WTA pro Flavia Pennetta, gave birth to their second child — a daughter named Farah — on 23 December, will next look to clinch the tie for Team Italy with a win over Casper Ruud, who saved two match points to overcome John Isner of Team United States on Friday. Fognini lost to World No. 5 Daniil Medvedev in three sets.

The 24-team event is being played in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney from 3-12 January, with the Final Eight beginning on Thursday in Sydney.

“Today was different conditions than two days ago against Khachanov,” said Travaglia. “The court was faster, the balls faster and the sun was so hot… I started very well, having prepared yesterday with my captain and my coach in the strategy room. I was solid from the first point. I just tried to play my tennis, with my feet inside the court and I tried to go to the net.”

Travaglia, who lost to Team Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the first tie, dominated from the start as nerves once again affected Durasovic, who committed 16 unforced errors in the 29-minute opener. Travaglia completed the set with his fifth winner, a crosscourt forehand volley winner.

Forehand errors continued to stack up for Durasovic, two days on from his loss to Taylor Fritz of Team United States. Travaglia won seven straight games form 2-1 in the first set to 3-0 in the second set.

Team Norway defeated Team United States 2-1 in Group D on Friday, while Team Italy lost 0-3 to Team Russia