Humbert stuns Medvedev at ATP Cup
Russian Daniil Medvedev's
SYDNEY 2022 season opened with a stunning defeat at the hands of Frenchman Ugo Humbert at the ATP Cup on Sunday, while Italy's Matteo Berrettini suffered a straight-sets loss to Australian Alex de Minaur.
World No. 2 Medvedev had been expected to seal the Group B tie for Russia after Roman Safiullin beat Arthur Rinderknech in the opening singles, but Humbert's 6-7 (5), 7-5, 7-6 (2) victory kept France alive at 1-1 going into the doubles.
Medvedev, however, changed his shirt and returned to the Ken Rosewall arena alongside Safiullin to clinch the tie for the defending champions with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Fabrice Martin and Edouard Roger-vasselin.
“I'm feeling very bad physically, that's all I can say,” Medvedev said.
That was little surprise after his titanic contest with Humbert, who was in inspired form and clung on tenaciously whenever it looked like Medvedev might get away from him.
In Group B, world No. 7 Berrettini was beaten on his return from injury as Italy slumped to a 2-1 loss to Australia, who were without James Duckworth after he was forced to pull out with a hip problem.
Berrettini, who withdrew from
the ATP Finals and Davis Cup due to an abdominal injury, struggled for rhythm as De Minaur prevailed 6-3, 7-6 (4) despite nearly blowing a 5-3 lead in the second set.
Earlier, Canadian Denis Shapovalov was a late withdrawal from his singles match against American John Isner at the $10-million men's team tournament. The world No. 14 had been forced to isolate in his hotel room after a positive COVID-19 test upon arrival in Sydney.
“I just didn't feel ready physically yet, so we did what is best for the team,” said Shapovalov, who later took to the court to play doubles with Felix Auger-aliassime.
That was a dead rubber, however, as Isner had beaten Shapovalov's singles replacement Brayden Schnur before Taylor Fritz downed Auger-aliassime to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead in the Group C clash.
Isner and Fritz also won the doubles rubber to put a 3-0 gloss on their nation's first ATP Cup tie victory.