Day three at the ATP Cup will feature the a number of world’s best players competing across Australia in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney. But who will be able to score their country a vital win as the competition for a place in the latter stages intensifies?
ATP Cup Day Three Predictions
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Nick Kyrgios
Head-to-head: Auger-Aliassime 1-0 Kyrgios
Felix Auger-Aliassime enjoyed a stellar 2019- making three ATP finals as well as reaching the last four at the Miami Open. Nick Kyrgios, on the other hand, predictably attracted more than his fair share of controversy last season, enduring a period on probation before ending his season with an injury in September, the timing of which was perhaps convenient. However, although Kyrgios more often than not flatters to deceive, he has thrived in team competitions throughout his career.
His stellar record in both the Davis Cup and the Laver Cup illustrate as much and he made a fine start to his ATP Cup campaign, beating Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 7-6. His serve was particularly impactful in that match, as he struck 20 aces past Struff. Auger-Aliassime has a fine serve of his own and proved far too strong for the Greek world #487 Michail Pervolarakis in his opener. But with Kyrgios likely to be engaged and backed by the crowd, he should prove too strong for the Canadian, despite losing their only previous meeting.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 2
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Alex de Minaur vs Denis Shapovalov
Head-to-head: De Minaur leads 1-0
Both Alex De Minaur and Denis Shapovalov impressed in their opening match at the ATP Cup. De Minaur got the better of German #1 Alexander Zverev, who he had never beaten in four previous attempts, to help Australia to a 3-0 whitewash in their first tie. Shapovalov, meanwhile, played some superb tennis to upset Stefanos Tsitsipas, who won his biggest title at the ATP Finals in London just a couple of months ago, in two tiebreak sets.
This looks set to be another close contest, with both men in good form and surely desperate to earn a crucial win. But De Minaur showed not just mental resilience against Zverev, but also the versatility and tactical astuteness to blunt the German’s greater power. He will have his work cut out in that regard again up against the big-hitting Shapovalov, but if De Minaur can keep calm under pressure, expect him to just edge out the Canadian.
Prediction: De Minaur in 3
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John Isner vs Daniil Medvedev
Head-to-head: first meeting
Daniil Medvedev rocketed up the rankings last season, putting together a stunning run on the hard courts of North America and Asia after Wimbledon. But he did not face many big servers during that time, which will make this clash with John Isner, surely the most powerful server in the men’s game, an intriguing test for the Russian, whose return has thus far proven effective but remains somewhat unorthodox.
Medvedev will need to take advantage of any looks Isner allows him at second serves and try to keep the American on the move. The 6’10” Isner is unsurprisingly not one of the tour’s most fluid movers and plays his best tennis when he is able to stay central and bring his big forehand into play. When pushed into the corners, particularly on his backhand, he becomes distinctly less comfortable. And Medvedev should have the defensive and counter-punching qualities to force Isner into just those positions regularly enough to claim victory, although Isner’s serve should ensure he remains a factor in the contest.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
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Alexander Zverev vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Head-to-head: Tsitsipas 4-1 Zverev
Zverev was visibly frustrated with his game as he smashed he racquet to pieces in his first match of 2020, a three-set defeat to De Minaur. Zverev, after taking the first set, will surely be bitterly disappointed to have started what seems certain to be a crucial season in the development of his career with a defeat. Tsitsipas too fell to defeat in his opener against Shapovalov, but there was little to split the pair and the Greek may justifiably feel unlucky in defeat.
Regardless, he will be targeting this match as a good chance to get back to winning ways. He has lost to Zverev just once in five meetings, with that defeat coming in their first meeting. In their most recent clash, two months ago at the ATP Finals, Tsitsipas lost just five games. And with Zverev continuing to struggle behind his second serve, the German hit seven double faults against De Minaur, Tsitsipas is surely right to feel confident about his chances.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
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