The disappointment is written on Matteo Berrettini’s face: Italy had to admit defeat. © ANSA / DAVID GRAY
That hurts: Despite Jannik Sinner’s opening victory, Italy had to admit defeat in the first game in the ATP Cup in Sydney, Australia.
January 02, 2022
Author: am
The Azzurri lost 2-1 to Australia on Sunday. Sinner had brought Italy with a sovereign 1-0 lead. Matteo Berrettini (ATP 7) surprisingly lost his game afterwards against Alex De Minaur (ATP 34) after 2 sets. In the first set the Australian got the upper hand with 6: 3, the second set he decided in the tiebreak with 7: 6 (7: 4) and thus equalized to 1: 1.
The doubles ultimately had to bring the decision. Dual specialists Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini were originally planned for the Azzurri. At the last moment, however, Italy’s team boss Vincenzo Santopadre made a change: Berrettini should contest the doubles with Bolelli. The two Azzurri were defeated by the Australian duo John Peers / Luke Saville in 2 sets with 0: 2 (3: 6, 5: 7).
The Azzurri will face France on Tuesday and the games against Russia on Thursday. The Russians won a hard-fought duel at the start with 2-1 against France. The world number two Daniil Medvedev was surprisingly defeated by Ugo Humbert 7: 6 (5), 5: 7.6: 7 (2). At the side of Roman Safiullin, who won his singles, Medvedev made the decision in doubles.
