MELBOURNE: Daniil Medvedev enjoyed the perfect Australian Open preparation as he fired Russia to victory in the $7.5 million ATP Cup with a dominant 6-4, 6-2 win over Italy's Matteo Berrettini in Melbourne on Sunday.
With Andrey Rublev having thrashed Fabio Fognini 6-1, 6-2 in the opening singles, world number four Medvedev sealed the tie 2-0 at Rod Laver Arena as the rampaging Russians stormed to the title undefeated.
While outstanding in the first set, Medvedev reached another level in the second, outpointing world number 10 Berrettini with a procession of sparkling winners as he roared to a 5-1 lead.
Berrettini saved two match points and held serve to claw back a game, leaping in the air with an ironic celebration and a wry grin at his team mates.
Medvedev let a third match point disappear in the following game but sealed it on the fourth with a huge serve down the 'T'.
Former US Open finalist Medvedev soaked up the applause from a small but appreciative crowd and congratulated Italy for having reached the final a year after they failed to advance from their group.
"I think I saw the most crowd out of all our four matches," the rangy 24-year-old said at the trophy celebration.
The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, starts on Monday with reduced attendance of 30,000 fans a day at Melbourne Park, around 50 percent lower than usual because of COVID-19 protocols. Agencies