Murray and Evans unite to clinch victory for GB
JAMIE MURRAY teamed up with Dan Evans to win the deciding doubles match and clinch a 2-1 win for Great Britain over Germany in the ATP Cup in Sydney yesterday.
Evans and Murray saw off Kevin Krawietz and Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4, after Evans had earlier beaten JanLennard Struff 6-1, 6-2, but Cameron Norrie had lost to Zverev 7-6 (7-2), 6-1.
“The team win is most important. We all did our job today,” Evans said.
“Cam played a great match. He was a little unlucky and then got back out on the court and was, as always, getting fired up and that’s what we all agree before any team event, that’s what we’ll do for each other.”
Evans dominated the opening contest against Struff – winning nine straight games to take it from 1-1 in the first set to a 4-0 lead in the second, and there was no way back for Struff, who has now lost all three of his encounters with Evans.
“It’s a good way to start 2022,” Evans said. “I’ve been practising well, but I didn’t expect to play the match this well.”
Zverev then gave Germany hope. The world No.3 had to save set point when trailing
5-4 in the first set but, once he had overcome that scare, he dominated in the second to secure victory in 87 minutes.
Norrie revealed afterwards that he had contracted Covid-19 over the festive period, which had cost him a week of practise.
“I had Covid, but I had no symptoms, I was very fortunate,” he said. “It was unfortunate I couldn’t get out on the court and play, but I had had a long season anyway, played a lot of matches, so it wasn’t the worst thing in the world for me.
“Obviously I just lost a week there, but it is what it is and I actually did a little bit of fitness throughout that period and I stayed healthy.”
Zverev was satisfied with his first outing of the season.
“The first match of the year is never going to be the best match of your life,” he said.
“But I’m pretty happy as I did my job. We’re here to try and win.”
Tomorrow, Britain will face Canada who were beaten 3-0 by the United States.
Taylor Fritz recovered from losing four set points in the opening set to help the United States to a whitewash. Fritz eventually overcame Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-4, to wrap up victory after John Isner had given the USA a 1-0 lead with a straightsets triumph against Brayden Schnur.
In the doubles, Fritz and Isner defeated Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-4.
“We’re feeling really good,” Fritz said. “When we played in 2020, we didn’t win a match, so first win for Team USA at the ATP Cup. It feels good.”
Russia won the deciding doubles rubber to earn a
2-1 win over France. Roman Safiullin saw off Arthur Rinderknech 2-6, 7-5, 6-3, before Ugo Humbert levelled the match with a shock 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 7-6 (7-2), win over world No.2 Daniil Medvedev. But Safiullin and Medvedev then teamed up to secure the match with a 6-4, 6-4, win over Rinderknech and Humbert.
Australia surprised Italy to win 2-1. World No.176 Max Purcell was brought in to the home team at the last minute after James Duckworth was ruled out with a hip injury, and he lost 6-1, 6-3 to Jannik Sinner.
However, Alex de Minaur then stunned world No.7 Matteo Berrettini with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4),victory and Luke Saville and John Peers sealed the tie by overcoming Simone Bolelli and Berrettini in the doubles match 6-3, 7-5.
The team win is most important. We all did our job today