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Daniil Medvedev Australian Open 2021
Australian Open, Daniil Medvedev, Tennis News

Daniil Medvedev leads Russia to ATP Cup Final against Italy


Russia will face Italy in the final of the ATP Cup after Daniil Medvedev battled back to beat German star Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. 

World No 4 Daniil Medvedev lost the opening set 6-3 before securing the next two sets 6-3 and 7-5 to beat an injury-hampered Alexander Zverev, who struggled with a back problem.

The Russian team, also including World No 8 Andrey Rublev, will face surprise package Italy in Sunday’s final after Matteo Berrettini beat Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets to seal a 2-0 win against 2020 finalists Spain.

Medvedev said: “We’re really happy to get the win.

“I started to make some big serves in big moments. That was a big key against Sascha [Zverev].”

After failing to reach the knockout stages last year without Matteo Berrettini, Italy have looked an entirely different outfit with the World No 10 in action, who is still unbeaten in singles at the event.

Berrettini said: “Obviously now the confidence is better, it’s higher.

“I felt we could do a great, great week. We’re feeling good. We’re feeling good energy.”

The lower-ranked player in each team will face off first, meaning Andrey Rublev, fresh off his victory over German Jan-Lennard Struff, will play World No 17 Fabio Fognini.

Daniil Medvedev will face Matteo Berrettini in the second match, with the Russian winning the only previous meeting between the pair in Indian Wells in 2018.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.