ATP-Cup
Austria’s team, led by Dominic Thiem, will face Italy and France in Group C at the ATP Cup in Melbourne, which is endowed with 4.5 million US dollars. That was the result of the draw on Friday. US Open winner Thiem faces Matteo Berrettini (ATP No. 10) and Gael Monfils (No. 11) in the top games.
Defending champion Serbia with Novak Djokovic meets Germany and Canada in Group A. In group B, last year’s finalist from Spain against Greece and Australia, led by Rafael Nadal, is the favorite, in group D is ATP finals champion Daniil Medvedev with Russia against Argentina and Japan in this role.
Only the group winners of the competition scheduled from February 1st to 5th will advance to the semi-finals. The ATP Cup is also the dress rehearsal for the Australian Open from February 8th, all top ten players with the exception of Roger Federer will take part. Two singles and one double are played per duel.
Thiem calculates opportunities
In addition to Thiem, the second top 100 player Dennis Novak and Philipp Oswald / Tristan-Samuel Weissborn are in action for Austria. At the premiere of the new team competition a year ago, the Austrians were eliminated before the quarter-finals. “We definitely want to play well. I also think that we have good chances because we have a strong team, ”Thiem said recently.
Basically, the 27-year-old from Lower Austria likes the ATP Cup, and he also has something to make up for from the previous year. “Last year it was a bit bitter because I was also well prepared and then played two poor games. I hope to do better this year. “
In 2020, the competition was held with 24 teams and spread across the three cities of Brisbane, Perth and Sydney. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the number of participating teams has been halved and only Melbourne Park is played. At the same time, two ATP 250 events will be held there in preparation for the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.
