National Post

Russia claims ATP Cup after huge week in Melbourne

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russians daniil Medvedev and Andrey rublev capped a dominating week with straight-sets victories against Italy to win the ATP Cup in Melbourne on Sunday.

Medvedev clinched the title with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Matteo berrettini after rublev torched Fabio Fognini 6-1, 6-2 in the other singles match.

The russian players won all eight of their singles matches, dropping just two sets between them.

Medvedev, ranked No. 4, has now won 14 straight matches — including titles at the rolex Paris Masters and the Nitto ATP Finals.

Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Italian teen Jannik Sinner outlasted compatriot Stefano Travaglia 7-6 (4) 6-4 to earn his second ATP title at the Great Ocean road Open in Melbourne.

Sinner, 19, is the youngest two-time winner since Novak djokovic picked up his second title in 2006. He is also the youngest to win consecutiv­e events since rafael Nadal in 2005.

Sinner, ranked 36th in the world, most recently won the Sofia Open in November and is on a 10-match winning streak.

elsewhere, No. 8 seed daniel evans of Great britain earned his maiden ATP title with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over No. 3 seed Felix Auger Aliassime of Canada in the final of the Murray river Open in Melbourne.

evans converted five of his eight break opportunit­ies in cruising to victory in one hour, 17 minutes.

Auger Aliassime is now 0-for-7 in tour-level finals, without a single set to his credit.

WILLIAMS LOOKING GOOD FOR TITLE RUN: EVERT

The unusual circumstan­ces ahead of the Australian Open could help Serena Williams claim her record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title, according to fellow American Chris evert.

Williams, who turns 40 this year, has been stuck on 23 since winning the 2017 Australian Open, losing four finals since to remain one short of Margaret Court’s record.

but evert believes Williams, despite worries over a shoulder niggle, will be a big threat in Melbourne.

“She’s looked awfully good. If anything, she’s looked probably better than anybody else to me,” ESPN expert evert, twice an Australian Open champion, said ahead of the tournament which starts on Monday.

“I’ve watched Naomi (Osaka). I’ve watched (Sofia) Kenin. I’ve watched most of these players. Simona (Halep). Nobody is in top form yet. I mean, for Serena to sneak in there and take this title wouldn’t surprise me whatsoever.”

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