MELBOURNE, February 3, 2021
In Wednesday’s ATP Cup matches, Germany defeated Canada 2-1 in Group A led by Alexander Zverev‘s 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(4) win over Denis Shapovalov. Jan-Lennard Struff secured the first point for his country after taking down former World No. 3 Milos Raonic 7-6(4), 7-6(1).
“I knew that playing against Milos [would be] very tough. He is serving so [well], he’s won so many tournaments and he’s such a good champion,” Struff said during his on-court interview. “In our three meetings, I beat him once before. So I knew I would have to play a good match, and I’m very pleased with the way I played. I played very good tie-breaks in both sets.”
Russia, Italy amont final four nations
In other action, Russia beat Japan 2-1 in Group D to secure its spot in the semi-finals.
“[I am] really happy for the team,” said Daniil Medvedev, who defeated Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-4. “[Reaching the] semi-finals is a big step… [I am] really happy that we made it in both singles. [Both matches were] straight sets, so really happy for the team and hopefully we can go further than that.”
Russia will be joined in the stage of the final four nations by Italy, which defeated France 2-1 in Group C.
Matteo Berrettini edged past Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-2 and Fabio Fognini battled past Benoit Paire 6-1, 7-6(2) in a roller-coaster match.
“It’s a great team, great guys. We are enjoying on court, but off court as well. I think when you’re playing for your country, for your team, it’s something special,” Berrettini said in his on-court interview. “Definitely this is a competition that I missed last year and this year I was really looking forward to playing. I’m happy to be here and really happy for my team because we are through to the semi-finals.”
In Group B, Australia beat Greece 2-1.
2021 #ATPCup semi-finals loading ▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ pic.twitter.com/QkX6hBPOAX
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) February 3, 2021
No matches at Melbourne Park Thursday
Later in the day, it was announced that between 500 and 600 players, officials and staff at the Australian Open will go into self-isolation after a positive coronavirus case was identified at one of the event’s quarantine hotels.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed that a 26-year-old man, who had been working as a resident support officer for the Australian Open, has tested positive for the virus.
“There is a number of about 500, 600 people who are players and officials and others who are casual contacts,” Andrews said.
“They will be isolating until they get a negative test and that work will be done tomorrow.”
Per @AustralianOpen no matches at Melbourne Park Thursday after health authorities advised that a Hotel Quarantine worker has tested positive for COVID-19. An update on the schedule for Friday still to come. Not the kind of news the 🎾 world wants to hear on the eve of the AO. https://t.co/x9xF2DhzIo
— Michael Dickens (@michaelcdickens) February 3, 2021
