Zverev, Tsitsipas stunned; ‘Ruud’ shock for US, Britain suffer loss

Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas both crashed to defeat in their first matches of the year Friday as day one of the inaugural ATP Cup sprung some big upsets.

The German world number seven was stunned by Australia’s fast-improving Alex de Minaur, who rallied from a set and 4-2 down to win 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2.

Greek star Tsitsipas, who won the 2019 season-ending ATP Finals in London and is now ranked six, slumped to a 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7/4) loss to young Canadian Denis Shapovalov.

It led to both Germany and Greece being defeated in their opening ties at the 24-nation event, where the countries are split into six groups across Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

Along with Australia and Canada, Belgium also won, sweeping Moldova 3-0, while tennis minnows Norway pulled off a big 2-1 upset against the United States. In later matches Bulgaria defeated Great Britain 2-1 while Russia blanked Italy 3-0.

“It’s definitely up there,” said de Minaur in Brisbane, when asked how the victory ranked in his career.

World number seven Zverev seemed to be cruising to victory when he won the first set and broke the Australian in the first game of the second.

However, the towering German’s serve went off the boil and de Minaur stormed back to win 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 -- helped in no small part by Zverev’s 14 double faults -- and give Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in their Group F tie.

Earlier, Nick Kyrgios beat Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).

“First game, first match of the year is always going to be tough,” said Kyrgios

Tsitsipas went into his match with Shapovalov, also in Brisbane, as slight favourite, with the Canadian ranked nine places below him.

But Shapovalov’s left-handed serve was working beautifully and Tsitsipas faltered at key moments in both tiebreaks.

“His serve was better than mine and a few points in the tiebreak, I didn’t work out what I had to do and I didn’t have a clear picture of how I have to play,” said the Greek.

The US were also upset, with emerging Norwegian youngster Casper Ruud beating big-serving John Isner. He then backed up in the decisive doubles alongside Viktor Durasovic to ensure the win.

Earlier, Taylor Fritz had thrashed Durasovic 6-2, 6-2 to give the US a 1-0 lead.

“It was great, it was fun,” said Belgium world number 11 David Goffin, who swept past Moldova’s Radu Albot 6-4, 6-1 on the way to helping his team to a 3-0 clean sweep in Sydney.

Meanwhile, world number five Daniil Medvedev backed his attacking instincts and came from behind to beat Fabio Fognini, as Russia swept Italy on the opening day of the inaugural ATP Cup on Friday.

The US Open finalist overcame a sluggish start to prevail 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 in one hour and 47 minutes after world number 17 Karen Khachanov had cruised to a 7-5, 6-3 win over Stefano Travaglia.

Medvedev and Khachanov combined to beat Paolo Lorenzi and Simone Bolelli 6-4, 6-3 in the doubles.

Russia have made the early running in Group D alongside surprise packets Norway, who stunned the United States with a 2-1 upset victory.

Agence France-Presse

ATP Cup collated results (day 1):

In Sydney, Group C: Belgium 3 Moldova 0 — Steve Darcis (BEL) bt Alexander Cozbinov (MDV) 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 7-5; David Goffin (BEL) bt Radu Albot (MDV) 6-4, 6-1; Sander Gille/Joran Vliegen (BEL) bt Radu Albot/Alexander Cozbinov (MDV) 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4), 11-9; Bulgaria 2 Britain 1 — Cameron Norrie (GBR) bt Dimitar Kuzmanov (BUL) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2; Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) bt Dan Evans (GBR) 2-6, 6-4, 6-1; Adrian Andreev/Alexandar Lazarov (BUL) bt Jamie Murray/Joe Salisbury (GBR) 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (2/7), 11-9

In Brisbane, Group F: Canada 3 Greece 0 — Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) bt Michail Pervolarakis (GRE) 6-1, 6-3; Denis Shapovalov (CAN) bt Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7/4); Denis Shapovalov/Felix Auger (CAN) bt Petros Tsitsipas/Michail Pervolarakis (GRE) 6-2, 6-3; Australia 3 Germany 0 — Nick Kyrgios (AUS) bt Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) 6-4, 7-6 (7/4); Alex de Minaur (AUS) bt Alexander Zverev (GER) 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2; Chris Guccione/John Peers bt Kevin Krawietz/Andreas Miles (GER) 6-3, 6-4

In Perth, Group D: Norway 2 USA 1 — Taylor Fritz (USA) bt Viktor Durasovic (NOR) 6-2, 6-2; Casper Ruud (NOR) bt John Isner (USA) 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (12/10), 7-5; Casper Ruud/Viktor Durasovic (NOR) bt Rajeev Ram/Austin Krajicek (USA) 4-6, 6-3, 10-5; Russia 3 Italy 0 — Karen Khachanov (RUS) bt Stefano Travaglia (ITA) 7-5, 6-3; Daniil Medvedev (RUS) bt Fabio Fognini (ITA) 1-6, 6-1, 6-3; Karen Khachanov/Daniil Medvedev (RUS) bt Simone Bolelli/Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) 6-4, 6-3