Russians make early headway
DAVIS CUP: KHACHANOV SEES OFF CORIC TO SEAL THE TIE
Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev helped Russia open the inaugural Davis Cup Finals with a 3-0 victory over defending champions Croatia in Madrid on Monday.
World No 17 Khachanov clinched the point for Russia by fighting back to beat Croatian number one Borna Coric 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-4, after Rublev had earlier seen off Borna Gojo 6-3, 6-3.
“When you’re playing not only for yourself, but for your country, you have to fight harder,” said Khachanov.
The 18 nations have been split into six groups of three at the Caja Magica, with the pool winners and two best runners-up to play in the last eight of the first edition of the revamped tournament.
The teams face off in two bestof-three-set singles matches and one doubles rubber in each tie.
Khachanov and Rublev completed the clean sweep latery with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 doubles win over Ivan Dodig and Nikola Mektic.
Canada claimed a 2-1 victory over much-fancied Italy to strike first in Group F.
World number 12 Fabio Fognini slumped to a 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 defeat by Vasek Pospisil, ranked 150th, before rising star Denis Shapovalov edged out Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/5).
“I’m really happy to get the win against a player like Matteo who has had such a good season,” said Shapovalov. “I always love representing my country – It’s not often you get to play as a team, It’s amazing.”
Italy, who won their only Davis Cup title in 1976, were the favourites in Group F with Fognini and Berrettini both having enjoyed excellent seasons.
The 20-year-old Shapovalov saved three set points before snatching the first set in a tiebreak, only for Berrettini to level the match in a second-set breaker.
The clash was decided by another tie-break, with Shapovalov reeling off the last three points to win.
Berrettini and Fognini boosted Italy’s hopes of making the quarters with a hard-fought doubles win over Shapovalov and Pospisil,