ATP Cup: despite Humbert's feat against Medvedev, France tilts against Russia

The Russian Daniil Medvedev, world number two, suffered his first defeat of the season in the team ATP Cup, Sunday in Sydney, against the French Ugo Humbert, in a meeting ultimately lost by France.

Humbert, 35th player in the world, won in three sets 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) and 2h55 against the winner of the US Open, leader of the team from Russia, ATP Cup title holder, for this unofficial kickoff of the season on the men's circuit.

“It was very hard today, but I'm very happy,” said Humbert after one of the biggest wins of his career.

"I just tried to stay relaxed, to stay focused on what to do, and it was a great game."

In the second singles match of this France-Russia, the Russian Roman Safiullin (167th) beat Arthur Rinderknech (58th) in three sets, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3, after saving 15 break points on the 19 obtained by the French.

You go, UGO 💪 @HumbertUgo notches the biggest win of his career by ranking, stunning World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev 6-7 7-5 7-6 at #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/74jOexLRjW

- Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 2, 2022

The Blues beaten in doubles

The doubles match was therefore to decide between the two teams but the duo formed by Fabrice Martin and Edouard Roger-Vasselin lost to Medvedev and Safiullin in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.

The other two teams in Group B, Australia and Italy, were to meet on Sunday evening, and France will face the Italians on Tuesday, led by Matteo Berrettini (7th worldwide) and Jannik Sinner (10th).

The group stage of this tournament, considered as a preparation for the Australian Open, is to continue until January 6.

Only the four winning selections in their group will qualify for the semi-finals.

The other meeting of the evening will pit the Germany of Alexander Zverev, 3rd world player, against Great Britain of Cameron Norrie (12th), one of the revelations of the year 2021.

Sunday, the United States won against Canada, thanks in particular to the victory of the great server John Isner against Brayden Schnur (6-1, 6-3) who had replaced Denis Shapovalov at the last minute, tired after isolation following a positive test for Covid-19, on his arrival in Sydney.

Taylor Fritz then beat the other Canadian, Félix Auger-Aliassime (11th) in three sets 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-4, while Shapovalov still took part in the doubles, without a stake for the outcome of the meeting.