Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov secured Team Russia’s qualification for the Final Eight at the ATP Cup on Tuesday by completing Group D play in Perth with an unbeaten 3-0 ties record.
On another sun-kissed day at the RAC Arena, Khachanov got the Russians off to a perfect start with victory over Viktor Durasovic, then Medvedev got the better of Norway’s Casper Ruud.
Gabashvili and Kravchuk, who replaced Khachanov and Medvedev for the doubles match, overcame Durasovic and Ruud 7-6(4), 6-4 to complete Russia’s 3-0 tie win.
Captain and former World No. 1 Marat Safin will now travel with his Russian team — Medvedev, Khachanov, Teymuraz Gabashvili, Ivan Nedelko and Konstantin Kravchuk — to Sydney for the final stages of the inaugural tournament, beginning Thursday. Russia will play a quarter-final during Thursday’s night session against the Group E winner.
“I think it was important for the guys to win as many matches as they can, so they are coming [to Sydney] with full confidence after playing a lot of matches,” said Safin. “It's beginning of the year, [but] I think the guys are ready. They are pumped enough to do well in the final stage. I'm happy for them. I'm happy for myself. I think we are doing better each day.”
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Khachanov continued his unbeaten start to the 2020 ATP Tour season, in the first singles match, by hitting 17 winners to sweep past Viktor Durasovic 6-2, 6-1 over 60 minutes.
“I think in each match there were some positives,” said Khachanov. “The most important thing is that I had good sets, good fight, and I’m looking forward to playing next matches in Sydney.”
Former World No. 8 Khachanov broke out to 3-0 leads in both sets, capitalising on 21 total unforced errors from Durasovic. Khachanov won 87 per cent of his first-service points (27/31), only once being extended to Advantage in the third game of the first set. The 23-year-old had previously beaten Stefano Travaglia of Italy and Taylor Fritz of the United States in group action at the ATP Cup.
Medvedev, currently No. 5 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, also extended his winning start to the new year by defeating No. 53-ranked Ruud 6-2, 7-6(6) in one hour and 34 minutes. Ruud had beaten two Top 20 players — Fabio Fognini and John Isner — in his past two matches.
“It was a bit tough after we played two night-session matches, when it was like 20 degrees," said Medvedev. "And today was really hot. The ball was bouncing a lot, and Casper was playing well, also. So it was a little bit tough to get used to the conditions. Finally, I’m happy with the fight, happy with the win, because the second set was close. I was a break up, the tie-break was close, so I could have gone to three sets which I didn't want. So I'm happy about myself that I made it in two sets.”
While one break of serve in the sixth game of the 38-minute set was enough for Medvedev, the momentum swung in Ruud’s favour early in the second set. When Medvedev hit his third double fault of the match, Ruud capitalised on his third break point by striking a forehand winner for a 3-1 advantage. But costly errors from Ruud ensured Medvedev found an immediate way back in the next game.
Ruud took a 4/2 lead in the tie-break, but clever service placement and approaches to the net helped Medvedev back to 6/5. Although he couldn't convert his first match point, Medvedev struck an 13th ace at 7/6 to guarantee Team Russia's flight to Sydney for the Final Eight.
“It was a good match,” said Ruud. “I think we all know Daniil is very tough opponent. He plays very well, he doesn't make many mistakes, so you have to create a lot of good points if you want to beat him. Sometimes, I tried to come to the net, which I think paid off quite well today. I tried to be as aggressive as I could, and sometimes you have to go for maybe some very good winners. Maybe you miss some, maybe you make some.
“It's not easy to grind him out, because he's very fast and he makes a lot of balls back. I'm happy with the match, even though I didn't win, and I had some chances and I felt like I pushed him pretty well.”
Team Norway captain Christian Ruud said: “I'm happy with the young guys who have been cheering well from the bench. And Casper and Viktor, we did a great job beating United States, playing a great doubles against a good doubles team [Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram]. Against Italy we were also close. We have been pushing the big countries well. We have been playing some good matches and shown that Norway is a good tennis nation, I think.”
Team Norway finishes Group D play in Perth with a 1-2 ties record.
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