ATP Cup: Zverev, Berrettini win to keep Germany and Italy on semis track

Alexander Zverev defeated Amrican Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 to keep alive Germany’s ATP Cup semi-final hopes on Tuesday, while Matteo Berrettini powered Italy to victory against France at the Sydney Super Dome. World No. 3 Zverev had to work his socks off to get the better of the American while Berrettini had to battle past Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-4, 7-6 (8/6), who upset US Open champion Daniil Medvedev at the weekend. John Isner and Fritz combined for a 6-0, 6-3 win over Kevin Krawietz and Tim Ouetz in the doubles. Both teams are now 1-1 in Group C.

Five matches points come and gone….no worries ?#ATPCup | @AlexZverev pic.twitter.com/gLpokyGLB9

— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 4, 2022

The U.S started their campaign with a 3-0 win over Canada while Germany was coming off a 2-1 loss to Britain.

“In general, it was at a good level for second match of the year, a high intensity and hard hitting,” said Zverev. “Most important is that Team Germany won.”

Jan-Lennard Struff withstood 34 aces in a 7-6(7), 4-6, 7-5 win over Isner to give Germany the lead and Zverev sealed it.

“It’s always tough against John,” Struff said. “I had played him four times before and lost four times. So I’m very happy to get the win for my team today.”

The win kept Germany’s ATP Cup hopes alive after the loss to Britain in the opener, with only top nations from each of the four groups in the 16-team competition progressing to the knockouts.

Last year’s runners-up Italy rebounded from its upset loss to Australia to beat France in Group B. Runners-up last year to Russia, Italy took the lead when Jannik Sinner beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 7-6(3) and secured its win over France when Berrettini got the better of humbert. Sinner and Berrettini completed the sweep with a three-set win in doubles.

“It’s never easy playing against him, it was the third time already. The first set I was under control. In the second set I dropped a little bit of intensity,” said Sinner.

“A really tough match, especially in these conditions. He’s a great server, a tricky player, a lefty,” said Berrettini, who dominated with his serve, sending down 18 aces.

“It’s a big weapon that I have and when it is working like this, it helps me a lot.”

For Berrettini it was a confidence boosting win following a loss to Alex de Minaur of Australia. France is now 0-2 at the tournament having lost against defending champions Russia. Australia and Russia after both won their opening matches will meet in the evening session on Tuesday in Group B. 

Canada was playing Britain later Tuesday in Group C. The Canadians fell to the USA in their opener while Britain upset Germany.