The newly-ranked James Duckworth will introduce himself to Australian tennis this weekend, whereas the nation’s quantity one-ranked man Alex de Minaur will be taught precisely how he is monitoring, up in opposition to two of the world’s high 10 in a stiff ATP Cup process in Sydney.
Key factors:
- James Duckworth will make his ATP Cup debut this weekend after years of accidents and missed possibilities which have saved him out of the group
- Australia open their account on Sunday in opposition to Italy whereas Russia, headed by US open champion Daniil Medvedev, will tackle France
- Italy are cautious of “demon” de Minaur, who pushed Rafael Nadal to the restrict on the similar occasion in 2019
Duckworth has shot from 105 to 49 on this planet rankings this yr, storming up the charts to develop into Australia’s second-highest ranked man.
Beating fellow top-100 abilities Alexei Popyrin, John Millman, Jordan Thompson and Nick Kyrgios to a spot in Lleyton Hewitt’s group, it is the 29-year-old’s second within the highlight after years blighted by accidents and close to misses.
“No, I did not suppose I would be right here (a yr in the past) however I’ve had a reasonably good yr,” Duckworth stated of his ATP Cup berth.
“I went dwelling in the course of the yr after Miami, had an enormous coaching block with coach Wayne Arthurs, obtained actually clear on my sport model and it took a few months to achieve some confidence, taking part in aggressively and the outcomes continued to enhance.”
Duckworth dominated at Challenger stage then took that type larger, reaching his maiden ATP ultimate and shedding a good Paris Masters quarter-final to world quantity 9 Hubert Hurkacz.
“He is all the time had setbacks all through his profession: to maintain bouncing again and responding is one thing we’re all extraordinarily pleased with,” Hewitt stated.
“He does completely every little thing proper and it is nice he is getting the success now … now, it is nearly cementing that spot within the high 50.”
Loading
The Sydney-based occasion begins on Saturday however Australia will start their marketing campaign in opposition to Italy on Sunday, earlier than clashes with Russia and France, who’ve changed Austria.
Italy boast world quantity seven Matteo Berrettini and 20-year-old world quantity 10 Jannik Sinner, whereas Lorenzo Sonego (27) and Fabio Fognini (37) spherical out what Hewitt views because the deepest squad within the occasion.
Russia are headed by US Open champion Daniil Medvedev whereas France’s Ugo Humbert sits one place decrease than de Minaur at quantity 35 on this planet.
“That is the fantastic thing about the ATP Cup … I’ve skilled it earlier than and it is an effective way to see the place I am at and a fantastic problem,” de Minaur stated.
“Hopefully some packed-out crowds, I am simply itching to get again out and compete.
“It is only a massive alternative for me, to check myself in opposition to these high guys.”
Berrettini is cautious of de Minaur, carrying reminiscences of when the plucky speedster pushed Rafael Nadal to “loopy” limits within the occasion two years in the past.
“This environment brings him to play his finest tennis, so it will be a really robust match,” he stated.
“However I like this type of factor: like stadiums packed and individuals are cheering for you or in opposition to you. I am actually trying ahead to that match.”
SATURDAY’S ACTION
DAY SESSION
- Chile v Spain (Ken Rosewall Area)
- Argentina v Georgia (Qudos Financial institution Area)
NIGHT SESSION
- Serbia v Norway (Ken Rosewall Area)
- Greece v Poland (Qudos Financial institution Area)
AAP