Search

show me:

Djokovic, Nadal play rare Sydney matches

3 minute read

The two-best players in the world headline the second day of quarter-finals at the ATP Cup in Sydney.

RAFAEL NADAL of Spain.
RAFAEL NADAL of Spain. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

A tasty encounter with Australia looms large for Spain at the ATP Cup if the Davis Cup champions can ease past Belgium in Sydney on Friday night.

World No.1 Rafael Nadal will be a warm favourite to down David Goffin in their top-seed encounter while Roberto Bautista Agut will be just as short odds against Steve Darcis.

It's a rare venture to Sydney for the 19-time grand slam champion who was involved in the Fast4 tournament last year but has not played an ATP tournament in the city since turning pro in 2001.

Nadal is undefeated in ATP Cup singles and holds a 4-1 lifetime record against world No.11 Goffin.

"For me personally, yes, it's been a very positive week," Nadal said.

"Winning three matches against three tough opponents. That's a good way to start the season, without losing a set yet."

Novak Djokovic has played in the harbour city even less.

The world No.2, who will spearhead Serbia's charge against Canada starting on Friday morning, hasn't played in Sydney since 2009.

He'll play Denis Shapovolov with struggling No.2 Felix Auger-Aliassime (1-2 in singles) expected to have to beat Dusan Lajovic to keep the Canadians in the tie.

Djokovic was looking forward to a potential crowd advantage.

"Sydney's got a big Serbian community, hopefully the support can be as good as it was (in Brisbane), even better," he said.

The two ties will represent some more very welcome star power in Sydney following the withdrawal of Swiss maestro Roger Federer and the injury-enforced absence of Brit Andy Murray.

On Thursday, Australia progressed to the semi-finals after a thrilling 2-1 win over Great Britain.

Nick Kyrgios downed Cameron Norrie in the opening rubber before Alex de Minaur lost a three-set thriller against Dan Evans.

Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt pulled a surprise by pairing his two singles players to contest the doubles for the first time in the tournament but it paid off as the pair saved four match points to beat Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury.

In the other tie Russia, spearheaded by world No.5 Daniil Medvedev, beat Argentina to progress to the last four.

The Russians locked away the tie with two singles wins but not before Medvedev smashed his racquet twice against the umpire's chair after an earlier verbal disagreement with his Argentine opponent Diego Schwartzman.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au