ATP Cup: Russia storms over Italy to celebrate the title

Russia brought two in-form top-10 players to this year's ATP Cup, and it was the recipe for success. Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev both scored four singles victories this week to secure the crown for their country, beating Italy 2-0 in Sunday's final after dropping nine games in four sets! Rublev toppled Fabio Fognini 6-1, 6-2 in 61 minutes in the first encounter, beating the Italian for the first time since Umag 2017. The Russian lost seven points in eight service games and never faced a break point, firing 23 winners and ten unforced errors and leaving the more experienced opponent far behind. Andrey held at 15 with an ace in the first game and grabbed a break in game two when Fognini sprayed a forehand mistake. Rublev landed an ace in game three for a hold at love and a massive advantage in the early stage and moved 4-1 ahead when Fabio netted a backhand.

The Italian hit a double fault in game six to suffer another break, barely walking around the court and playing miles from his best. Serving for the set, Andrey painted a forehand winner for 6-1 in 25 minutes, hoping for more in the rest of the clash. Fognini netted a backhand in the second set's third game and lost the final 12 points to push Rublev over the top.

Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev brought the title to Russia.

The Italian sent a forehand wide in game seven, and Andrey secured the victory with three winners in the next one to bring Russia's first point. In the second match, Daniil Medvedev grabbed his 14th consecutive victory and tenth over the top-10 rivals since Paris last year, ousting Matteo Berrettini 6-4, 6-2 in 80 minutes to bring the trophy to Russia. Medvedev tamed his strokes nicely and saved both break points, challenging Berrettini to repeat that if he wanted to stay in contention.

The Italian beat three rivals this week, including Dominic Thiem, but couldn't produce the same level against the Russian, facing 11 break points and giving serve away thrice. Daniil earned a break in game three with a running forehand winner and erased two break points in the next one to open a 3-1 gap. The Russian served well in games six, eight and ten, securing the opening set with an ace at 5-4 after 44 minutes. Medvedev lost four points behind the initial shot in set number two and placed a volley winner in game three to forge the advantage. With nothing working his way, Matteo suffered another break at 1-3 and allowed Daniil to seal the deal with a service winner at 5-2 and bring the trophy to Russia.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/36NJ354