US over Canada easily Russia beats France at ATP Cup Australian Open

 

The United States beat Canada and defending champion Russia defeated France at the ATP Cup on Sunday, with the the Americans taking a much easier route.

John Isner and Taylor Fritz beat their Canadian singles opponents and then clinched the match in doubles for a 3-0 win.

Isner beat Brayden Schnur 6-1, 6-4 in 66 minutes to give the Americans the early lead.

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Schnur was a late replacement for Denis Shapovalov, who withdrew from tonight’s opening singles match due to fatigue. The Canadian is recovering from having contracted COVID-19 at a recent tournament in the Middle East.

Fritz then came from a set down to beat No. 11-ranked Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-4 and clinch the match before the Americans won the doubles 6-4, 6-4 over Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov.

Russia, meanwhile, needed the deciding doubles match to clinch victory over France.

Roman Safiullin beat Arthur Rinderknech of France 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 before No. 35-ranked Ugo Humbert evened the match for France with an upset 6-7 (5), 7-5, 7-6 (2) win over No. 2 Daniil Medvedev.

But Medvedev and Safiullin came back to beat two fresh opponents in the doubles — Fabrice Martin and Edouard Roger-Vasselin — 6-4, 6-4.

In night matches, Britain and Italy took early leads. Daniel Evans beat Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1, 6-2 while Italy’s Jannik Sinner defeated Australia’s Max Purcell 6-1, 6-3 in opening singles.

Purcell was a late replacement for James Duckworth who withdrew due to hip soreness.

Keeping Team Australia’s semifinal chances alive, Alex de Minaur has overpowered Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 7-6 (4).

Berrettini will now back up in doubles match, coming in for a teammate Fabio Fognini.

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