Medvedev, Safiullin Combine for Russia's Second Win

SYDNEY, Jan 4: Daniil Medvedev and Roman Safiullin, Russia's latest 'secret weapon', ensured that the defending champion beat Australia on Tuesday to move to 2-0 in Group B play at the ATP Cup.

Medvedev silenced the majority of supporters on the Qudos Bank Arena with his fourth straight victory over Alex De Minaur in a 6-4, 6-2 win over 80 minutes. It followed on from World No. 167 Safiullin's gutsy 7-6(6), 6-4 victory over James Duckworth in the No. 2 singles match.

"We fight when we play for our country, to the last point," said World No. 2 Medvedev. "I did not feel great prior to the match, so I took some pain killers before I came out. I'm really happy for Roman, he's winning every match he's played so far. I watched his match tonight from the locker room. I've known him since he was 10, he had a good junior career and has been unlucky with injuries."

Russia now plays Italy on Thursday in a repeat of the 2021 ATP Cup final, while host nation Australia challenges France.

Felix Auger-Aliassime breathed life into Team Canada's ATP Cup bid on Tuesday, edging Cameron Norrie 7-6(4), 6-3 to level its tie against Great Britain at 1-1 in Group C here.

Following Canada's defeat to the United States in its opening tie and Denis Shapovalov's loss to Daniel Evans earlier on Tuesday, Canada faced elimination from the 16-team event if Auger-Aliassime did not defeat Norrie.

However, with the pressure on, the World No. 11, who is making his second ATP Cup appearance, delivered as he struck heavy, powerful forehands to pin Norrie behind the baseline to triumph after one hour and 59 minutes.

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