2020 in Review: Alex de Minaur downs Alexander Zverev, as Australia tops Germany

On the opening day of the inaugural ATP Cup, the home nation Australia toppled Germany 3-0 for a winning start. In the first rubber, Nick Kyrgios took down Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 7-6 in swift an hour and 12 minutes to push Australia into an early lead. Kyrgios fired 20 aces and dropped only 12 points behind the initial shot to keep his games intact, mounting the pressure on Struff, who gave his best to stay in contention. The German got broken once in the first set and fell in the second set tie break to push Nick over the finish line despite a solid effort. The only break came at 2-2 when Nick moved in front following a loose forehand from Jan-Lennard. Barely losing a point in five service games, Nick closed the set with an ace at 5-4 after just 26 minutes, looking sharp and hoping for more of the same in set number two. They both served well to reach a tie break in no time, with Kyrgios moving in front with a perfect lob winner at 4-3 and sealing the deal thanks to two aces at 5-4.

In the second encounter, Alex de Minaur defeated Alexander Zverev for the first time in five clashes, prevailing 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 in two hours and 44 minutes to send Australia over the top. Two years ago in Brisbane, the same rivals competed in a thrilling Davis Cup tie that Zverev won in just under four hours, making the better start in this one before losing ground against the opponent who refused to surrender in front of the partisan crowd. Zverev hit ten aces and 14 double faults, struggling on the second serve big time and getting broken four times from 12 chances offered to de Minaur.

Alex de Minaur came from 6-4, 4-2 down against Alexander Zverev at the ATP Cup.

The Sydney native repelled seven out of ten break chances, staying in touch in set number two and racing past Alexander in the decider for a massive celebration with his teammates. Eager to improve his game after a mediocre 2019, Alexander made the best start, delivering two breaks and opening a 5-2 advantage with some deep and persistent shots that left Alexz with no answer.

The Aussie pulled one break back to prolong the set and fought off six set points before Zverev finally brought it home in the tenth game after almost an hour. In set number two, Alexander had a chance to move 5-2 ahead and seal the deal soon after that, allowing de Minaur to fend off two break chances and pull the break back in the next game for 4-4. With the momentum on his side, Alex won the tie break 7-3 with a forehand crosscourt winner to gain momentum, entering the decider as the favorite and stealing Zverev's serve in games one and three to forge a massive advantage. The Aussie sealed the deal with a hold at 5-2, earning the second point for his country against Germany and making a strong start of the year.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2JrB3hM