Melbourne (AFP)

Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas both kicked off their seasons with hung wins in the ATP Cup on Wednesday in Melbourne, where Italy and Russia validated their qualifiers for the semi-finals.

The world No.7, finalist of the last US Open, had to work to beat Denis Shapovalov in straight sets 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), and secure the victory of Germany over Canada (2-1).

In Group A, the ticket to the semi-finals will be played Thursday between Germany and Serbia of title-holder Novak Djokovic.

In Group B, Australia dominated Greece (2-1), thanks to the victory of the double John Peers / Luke Saville against Michail Pervolarakis and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Earlier, Tsitsipas, world No. 6, equalized by defeating Alex de Minaur 6-3, 7-5, while John Millman won the opener against Michail Pervolarakis.

“It was a suspenseful game, we both gave everything we had,” said Tsitsipas, semi-finalist at the Australian Open in 2019. “I managed to stay calm and calm down. resist. I just tried to seize the opportunities and apply the pressure. "

Italy became the first nation to qualify for the semi-finals after their victory (2-1) against France, already eliminated.

Fabio Fognini launched his team perfectly, easily beating Benoit Paire, before Matteo Berrettini gave his country a second point thanks to his victory against Gael Monfils.

The Nicolas Mahut / Edouard Roger-Vasselin pair saved the honor by beating Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.

Italy were joined by Russia, who also secured their qualification for the last four by crushing Japan.

After a successful debut against Argentina, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev impressed again, beating Kei Nishikori and Yoshihito Nishioka respectively, leaving them just 10 games between them.

Results of the ATP Cup matches played on Wednesday:

Group A

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GERMANY BAT CANADA 2 to 1

Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) beats Milos Raonic (CAN) 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2)

Alexander Zverev (GER) beats Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4)

Peter Polansky / Steven Diez (CAN) beat Jan-Lennard Struff / Kevin Krawietz (GER) 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (6/8), 10-3

Group B

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AUSTRALIA BAT GREECE 2 to 1

John Millman (AUS) def. Michail Pervolarakis (GRE) 6-2, 6-3

Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) beats Alex De Minaur (AUS) 6-3, 7-5

John Peers / Luke Saville (AUS) beat Michail Pervolarakis / Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 4-6, 10-5

Group C

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ITALY BAT FRANCE 2 to 1, Italy qualified for the semi-finals

Fabio Fognini (ITA) beats Benoit Paire (FRA) 6-1, 7-6 (7/2)

Matteo Berrettini (ITA) beats Gael Monfils (FRA) 6-4, 6-2

Nicolas Mahut / Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) beat Simone Bolelli / Andrea Vavassori (ITA) 6-3, 6-4

Group D

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RUSSIA BEATS JAPAN 2 to 1, Russia qualified for the semi-finals

Andrey Rublev (RUS) def. Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 6-1, 6-3

Daniil Medvedev (RUS) def. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 6-2, 6-4

Ben McLachlan (JPN) / Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) defeat Evgeny Donskoy (RUS) / Aslan Karatsev (RUS) 4-6, 6-3, 12-10

© 2021 AFP