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ATP Cup 2020: Our favourite match-ups
Reputations are on the line when 24 nations go head-to-head this January.
The inaugural ATP Cup is coming, seeing the men’s top players come together to compete for their country. It isn’t just pride that’s on the line.
In the lead up to the 2020 Australian Open, the top 24 ranked singles players will each qualify for their respective countries, with the first 19 already locked in – including a wildcard to host nation Australia.
Two groups of four nations will head to each of Brisbane, Sydney, and Perth for the group stages, from Friday 3 January 3 until Wednesday 8 January. Following this, the top two countries from each group will meet in Sydney for the knockout phase from Thursday 9 January until Sunday 12 January.
The top 10 in the world have already committed to playing, meaning the likes of Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal are in.
In a bonus for the UK, Andy Murray also qualifies thanks to his protected no.2 ranking.
Groups
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BrisbaneGroup A:
Group F:
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SydneyGroup C:
Group E:
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PerthGroup B:
Group D:
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Our favourite ATP Cup match-ups
There will be some heart-stopping battles as the world’s best men’s players go head-to-head in their Australian Open preparations.
Let’s have a look at our favourite match-ups locked in for each day of the Cup.
Day 2
Continuing in Sydney, Day 2 sees Austria face Croatia. Current world no. 5 Dominic Thiem is set to play and is likely to face one of the game’s brightest young stars in this clash, Borna Coric.
The 22-year-old Croatian has worked his way into the top 15 after reaching the round of 16 at the 2019 Australian Open.
Day 3
Day 3 is stacked, but our favourite has to be our Aussies in action (although hard to go past a potential Zverev v Tsitsipas clash in Brisbane).
Our Aussie stars, Kyrgios and Alex De Minuar, face the Canadian pairing of Felix Auger-Aliassime and Milos Raonic.
A 19-year-old Auger-Aliassime is one of the hottest young talents on the men’s tour, and the big-serving Raonic will always be a difficult battle.
Our young guns in Kyrgios and De Minaur will have their work cut out for them in what is sure to be an enticing battle.
Day 4
Sticking in Brisbane, the world number 1’s Serbia face France. Novak Djokovic is the undisputed king of the tour at present, as he looks to take on France, and likely Gael Monfils.
Monfils is arguably the game’s most entertaining player and now back where he belongs at no. 12 in the world. He is fit, firing, and definitely able to take it right to the Serbian superstar at the peak of his form.
Day 5
Take your pick. Day 5 is filled to the brim with superstar clashes, including Greece (Tsitsipas) v Australia.
But Germany v Canada is our choice for the day. Taking place in Brisbane, Alex Zverev and Jan-Lennard Struff, the two-nominated Germans thus far, are set to take on Auger-Aliassime and Raonic.
That’s some serious firepower for one day’s play.
Day 6
On the final day of the group stages in Sydney, we’re focusing our attention on Croatia v Argentina.
Both nations have a pair of top 30 players on display, with Coric teaming up with Marin Cilic as they face Diego Schwartzman and Guido Pella of Argentina.
The full schedule of the group stages is available here. The 2020 ATP Cup will take place from Friday 3 January 3 until Sunday 12 January. Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com.au
*Players are correct at time of writing
