Scores updated regularly. REFRESH NOW
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2020 ATP Cup Pat Rafter Arena, Brisbane Nick Kyrgios vs Jen-Lennard Struff |
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Alex de Minaur vs Alexander Zverev |
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Doubles match |
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The new ATP Cup is here and Australia’s campaign gets underway on Friday evening against Germany at Pat Rafter Arena. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:30pm (AEDT).
Twenty-four teams have qualified for the event, and with big prize money and ranking points on offer, it has attracted some of the biggest names in male tennis.
Australia and Germany are in Group F along with Canada and Greece, and these teams will play on centre court at the Queensland Tennis Centre this weekend.
RAC Arena in Perth will also host the group stage, while Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney has the full tournament from group stage through to finals.
They’ll be plenty of support for the home country tonight – Nick Kyrgios draws a crowd wherever he goes, while Alex de Minaur’s fight will have all enthralled in every rally.
This new competition is a simple format: two singles matches featuring the No. 2 and then No. 1 ATP-ranked players from each team followed by a doubles match.
The duo for the doubles rubber is up to the team captains. Boris Becker will be court-side for Germany, while Lleyton Hewitt will do the same for Australia.
World No. 30 Nick Kyrgios will play first this evening up against Jan-Lennard Struff, ranked No. 35.
Australia’s highest-ranked male player, Alex de Minaur (18), will face world No. 7, Alexander Zverev, and it will be a big challenge for the 20-year-old.
Hewitt can choose from John Millman, John Peers and Chris Guccione for his doubles pairing, while Becker has 2018 Roland Garros doubles champions Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies ready for the third rubber.
Prediction
This team format should suit the Australian line-up. It will be up to Kyrgios to get a good start for his country, as Alexander Zverev is likely to defeat De Minaur in the second singles rubber and level proceedings.
Encouraged by chants of ‘Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi oi oi’, Australia should win the doubles and take the tie 2-1.
Can Australia get a dream start to the 2020 tennis season with a victory over Germany?
Join The Roar this evening at 6:30pm (AEDT) for live scores and add your thoughts in our blog of all three matches.
Venue: Pat Rafter Arena, Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane
First match: 6:30pm (AEDT)
TV: Channel Nine, Gem
Online: 9Now
Odds: Australia $1.95, Germany $1.80; Jan-Lennard Struff $3.02 vs Nick Kyrgios $1.37; Alexander Zverev $1.63 vs Alex de Minaur $2.25
Australia
Alex de Minaur, Nick Kyrgios, John Millman, John Peers, Chris Guccione
Germany
Alexander Zverev, Jan-Lennard Struff, Mats Moraing, Kevin Krawietz, Andreas Mies
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Thanks for following the blog this evening, The Roar's coverage of the ATP Cup and the summer of tennis continues on Sunday. Happy New Year, enjoy the weekend and our thoughts are with those affected by the bushfires around Australia - stay safe.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Australia defeat Germany 3-0 The Australian's had a dream start to their home summer of tennis defeating Germany 3-0 on the opening day of the inaugural ATP Cup. Nick Kyrgios opened proceedings with a straight set victory over the second-ranked German Jan-Lennard Struff. It was a quick match, with points over as quickly as they began. On a serving roll, Kyrgios' personal contribution to bushfire relief is already at $4000 with his 20 aces this evening. The dominance of his serving was on display throughout the match, and while Struff had opportunities in the tie-break, Kyrgios ultimately took his chance for victory. Next up on court was Australia's number one male player Alex de Minaur, who started a little nervously, under plenty of external pressure after a couple of breakout years. de Minaur saw off the early serving dominance of Alexander Zverev, however the world no. 7 took his opportunity to go up a double break. In the second set, de Minaur again went down a break early, however his fight never wavered. As Zverev's serving hiccups started, de Minaur took control of the set; he first broke back and then went on to lead a set for the first time in the match. In the tie-break, de Minaur frustrated Zverev with his ability to retrieve anything the German hit at him and the Aussie crowd helped de Minaur take the set. After a smashed racquet (Zverev's) was disposed of, the German's frustrations continued in the deciding set. Alex de Minaur took an early break, then a double break and almost a triple break, taking the set 6-2 and winning the rubber for Australia. With the tie result already won by Australia, the doubles had less pressure. The return of Chris Guccione and his pairing with John Peers had the team cheering on the sidelines. While Guccione was a little rusty, Peers' experience guided the team to a victory and a clean sweep of the tie. A great night for Australia on Day 1, work to do for the Germans who will be disappointed with the result today. Australia next face Canada on Sunday (daytime), before they meet Greece on Tuesday (night). Tie breakdown: Nick Kyrgios defeated Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 7-6 Alex de Minaur defeated Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 Guccione/Peers defeated Krawietz/Mies 6-3, 6-4
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Game, Set, Match Australia. Return from Krawietz is wide. That's the game set and match for Australia - Guccione back in action for the first time in a couple of years and Peers guiding the doubles pairing brilliantly. AUS 6 | 6 GER 3 | 4
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Long return from Krawietz and the Australians get let off the hook. Match points... AUS 6 | 5 | 40 GER 3 | 4 | 30
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Peers to Krawietz another solid forehand return down the line. AUS 6 | 5 | 30 GER 3 | 4 | 30
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Great movement at net, Guccione took the first and then Peers came in for the second. Mies skies the return and Australia take the point. AUS 6 | 5 | 30 GER 3 | 4 | 15
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Great serve up the T from Peets, Krawietz returns into the net. AUS 6 | 5 | 15 GER 3 | 4 | 15
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Peers serving for the set and match, his volley at the net is long though. AUS 6 | 5 | 0 GER 3 | 4 | 15
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Game, Germany. The German pair hold, Australia had opportunities to wrap the match up there but couldn't quite capitalise. Can now serve for the match. AUS 6 | 5 | 0 GER 3 | 4 | 0
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Another strong return from Peers. He'll return the deciding point. AUS 6 | 5 | 40 GER 3 | 3 | 40
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Lob from Guccione comes off! Krawietz can be heard as they realise the lob is good. AUS 6 | 5 | 30 GER 3 | 3 | 40
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Good second serve from Krawietz, the pair wrap up the point. AUS 6 | 5 | 15 GER 3 | 3 | 40
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Germany serving to stay in this one. AUS 6 | 5 | 15 GER 3 | 3 | 30
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Krawietz serving for Germany, Peers returns well, but Guccione is a little slow at net and can’t lift it over. AUS 6 | 5 | 15 GER 3 | 3 | 15
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Game, Australia. Peers finishes the point for Australia with a great smashed splitting the pair up the middle. AUS 6 | 5 | 0 GER 3 | 3 | 0
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Great serve, in the corner from Guccione!! AUS 6 | 4 | 40 GER 3 | 3 | 0
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Guccione to serve and consolidate the break. Peers at the net, got a little lucky but finished the point for the Australians. AUS 6 | 4 | 30 GER 3 | 3 | 0
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Update from Perth: Medvedev defeated Fognini 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 and Russia take the tie 2-0.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Deuce, deciding point. What a return from Peers!!! Straight down the line and there is the break for the Australian's. AUS 6 | 4 | 0 GER 3 | 3 | 0
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
A chance for Australia, Guccione misses the volley. AUS 6 | 3 | 40 GER 3 | 3 | 40