ATP Cup: Fired-Up Novak Djokovic Makes Best possible Get started However Dominic Thiem Slumps | Tennis Information

Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic were given his season off to an excellent get started with a scuffling with win over hot-shot Denis Shapovalov within the ATP Cup Tuesday, however international quantity 3 Dominic Thiem crashed to defeat. The Serbian international primary, who will probably be chasing a 9th Australian Open crown when the primary Grand Slam of the 12 months starts on Monday, used to be driven arduous ahead of coming thru 7-5, 7-Five towards the Canadian on Rod Laver Enviornment. Djokovic confirmed no indicators of being hindered via an uncongenial blister on his racquet hand that afflicted him at an Adelaide exhibition remaining week and returned 30 mins later along Filip Frajinovic to play the decisive doubles rubber.

The pair beat Shapovalov and Milos Raonic 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) as protecting champions Serbia took the tie towards Canada 2-1 in Staff A.

“It used to be a super opening of the season. Enjoying Shapo is at all times a super problem on hardcourts, he’s this kind of dynamic, explosive participant,” mentioned Djokovic, who used to be fired up via enjoying in entrance of a smattering of noisy Serbian lovers.

“I believed we each performed on an attractive top stage, so I am actually proud of the best way I began the season.

“This can be a nice festival,” added Djokovic, who gained all 8 suits he contested en path to the trophy remaining 12 months. 

“We’d like extra competitions the place we constitute a staff, constitute our nation.” 

Serbia beat Rafael Nadal’s Spain within the ultimate of the inaugural and vastly common match remaining 12 months in Sydney — introduced as a rival to the Davis Cup.

It’s been slimmed down from 24 groups to 12 this 12 months because of the coronavirus with all suits at Melbourne Park over 5 days with US$7.Five million at stake, reasonably than the multi-city layout hired in 2020.

Spain face a difficult opening tie later Tuesday towards hosts Australia, with Nadal up towards fast-improving Alex de Minaur.

On a fab day, big-serving Raonic were given Canada off to a blistering get started, crushing Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-Four in simply 79 mins to provide his staff a 1-Zero lead, with the previous international quantity 3, now ranked 15, losing simply 8 issues on serve whilst sending down 11 aces.

It used to be left to Djokovic to stage the tie ahead of clinching the doubles rubber.

The Alexander Zverev-led Germany also are in Staff A and play Wednesday.

Thiem tumbles

Whilst Djokovic tasted victory, US Open champion Thiem, who misplaced to the Serb in a gripping Australian Open ultimate remaining 12 months, were given his season off to a disappointing get started.

He slumped 6-2, 6-Four to Italian international quantity 10 Matteo Berrettini who by no means allowed the Austrian to get going along with his big-swinging recreation.

“I am more than happy clearly for myself, however on this festival we are enjoying for a staff, so it is actually great,” Berrettini mentioned. “I am actually proud of my efficiency.

“Enjoying on your nation is one thing particular.”

Promoted

Berrettini used to be beneath drive after Austria took the lead of their Staff C conflict when 100th-ranked Dennis Novak earned some of the greatest wins of his occupation, frightening international quantity 17 Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-2.

It despatched the tie to a deciding doubles with Thiem returning along Novak best to crash once more, shedding 6-1, 6-Four to Berrettini and Fognini.