By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday February 2, 2020
Matteo Berrettini lead Italy past France and into the ATP Cup Semis. Russia also qualified.
Photo Source: Getthy
Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev powered Russia back into the ATP Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, as both players won in straight sets against their Japanese Opponents on Wednesday at Melbourne Park.
It has been an impressive few days for Russia, with Rublev and Medvedev looking virtually unstoppable and waltzing to victory against world-class opponents.
On Wednesday it was Rublev up first and he eased past Yoshihito Nishioka 6-1 6-3, before Medvedev took the court and methodically took down Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-4.
Neither player was ever in trouble despite the fact that Nishioka and Nishikori both played pretty solidly—they were simply no match for what the Russian tandem was offering.
Medvedev claimed his 12th consecutive victory--he finished his 2020 season with titles at Paris and the ATP Finals.
With two wins in the books the Russians will now await the winner of Serbia v Germany on Thursday in Melbourne. The Germans eliminated Canada on Wednesday, thanks to victories by Jan-Lennard Struff over Milos Raonic and Alexander Zverev over Denis Shapovalov.
Serbia, which defeated Canada on Tuesday in Melbourne, will look to remain undefeated in ATP Cup play against Germany on Wednesday. The Serbs are 7-0 after winning last year’s title, and Novak Djokovic is now 10-0 lifetime in ATP Cup ties.
Italy Rides Berrettini’s Hot Hand
Matteo Berrettini has been another player in rude form this week in Melbourne. The World No.10 stomped Dominic Thiem on Tuesday and today he was merciless against Gael Monfils on Wednesday. Berrettini’s 6-4 6-2 victory over Monfils clinched the win after Fabio Fognini’s 6-1 7-6 takedown of Benoit Paire.
Italy could face either Spain, Australia or Greece in the semi-finals.