Introduction
The ATP Cup is an international team tournament, with the best team from the four group stage playoffs going to two semifinals, and their winner going to the final. The third edition will be held in Sydney, Australia on the 1st of January 2022, to the 9th.
Each playoff will feature two singles matches and a doubles match, best of three wins.
ATP points are awarded to match winners.
Last year’s edition was won by Russia, who beat Italy in the final. The 2020 edition was won by Serbia who beat Spain in the final.
The tournament also presents a good opportunity for young players to learn from their country’s best, especially in nations that only have one or very few top players.
Teams
Each team has their best player, carrying the sometimes considerable dead weight of their teammates. A second best player, winning against lower quality opponents. And some kind of doubles team, be it their star and a supporting doubles player, or a bone fide dedicated doubles pairing.
Group A
Serbia
Dusan Lajovic
Filip Krajinovic
Nikola Cacic
Matej Sabanov
The Carry
Dusan Lajovic
- Rank 33
- Age 31
Serbia wouldn’t have qualified without Djokovic, but he hasn’t bothered to turn up, leaving a team full of second fiddles. Lajovic is unlikely to be what Serbia needs to win, even with Djokovic, Serbia struggled at the Davis Cup.
Second fiddle
Filip Krajinovic
- Rank 42
- Age 29
Not a bad second player, and could well beat a few of the other teams second players.
Doubles pairing
Nikola Cacic
- Rank 36
- Age 31
Matej Sabanov
- Rank 97
- Age 29
A decent doubles pairing, two dedicated doubles players. Usually Djokovic would have paired one of them, probably Cacic, though he had preferred Krajinovic in the past.
Chances
Serbia feels like a series of missed opportunities, firstly losing Djokovic has handicapped them, but also all of their players are around 30 years old. They’re not giving a chance for the next generation to experience top tier tennis, and maybe get some money and exposure, so the team doesn’t have to rely on Djokovic so heavily in future. Their odds of winning are very slim.
Norway
Casper Ruud
Viktor Durasovic
Lukas Hellum Lilleengen
Leyton Rivera
Andreja Petrovic
The Carry
Casper Ruud
- Rank 8
- Age 22
The second youngest player in the top ten, with a series of strong performances at small tournaments. Ruud may be higher ranked than the youngest (Jannik Sinner is 20), but lacks the impact that Sinner had last year. So here we have a young player who has proven he can play with the best at the ATP finals, and win tournaments, but without a real breakthrough performance. Perhaps 2022 will be Ruud’s year, and the ATP Cup is one place he could launch it.
Second fiddle
Viktor Durasovic
- Rank 345
- Age 24
Has had some good results in the challenger and ITF events, but still yet to crack the ATP events. Still, he’s a player with potential.
Doubles pairing
Casper Ruud
- Rank 180
- Age 22
Viktor Durasovic
- Rank 441
- Age 24
The two best singles players are also their best doubles players, so there may be some variation to this set up or they risk tiring out. As for their competence, this pairing isn’t the strongest, but they have paired before.
Chances
Norway is slightly undermanned, and Ruud isn’t quite the superstar up for dragging his teammates along to victory. Ruud will put up a good fight, but Norway is unlikely to get to the semifinals.
Chile
Cristian Garin
Alejandro Tabilo
Tomas Barrios Vera
The Carry
Cristian Garin
- Rank 17
- Age 25
Garin is a clay specialist, who made his career high rank 17 after a quarterfinal at the Madrid Masters, a title win at Santiago, and two grand slam 4th rounds at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He’s had no great results on hardcourt, but he’s the reason that Chile is at the ATP Cup.
Second fiddle
Alejandro Tabilo
- Rank 139
- Age 24
Tabilo can hang solidly in the top 100, he spends most of his time in ITFs and challengers, he seems to lose every time he comes across a name you would have heard of, but he’s by no means a bad player.
Doubles pairing
Cristian Garin
- Rank 235
- Age 25
Tomas Barrios Vera
- Rank 264
- Age 24
A weaker duo unlikely to manage many victories, It’s possible that Alejandro Tabilo (ranked 294) will be pairing Barrios Vera, as they’ve played together before. Either way Chile will struggle in the doubles.
Chances
Garin on his weakest surface and two lesser known players make Chile the weakest nation in it’s group. They will have to pull off a surprising performance to win.
Spain
Roberto Bautista Agut
Pablo Carrena Busta
Albert Ramos Vinolas
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Pedro Martinez
The Carry
Roberto Bautista Agut
- Rank 19
- Age 33
Spain will be missing Nadal this year. Bautista Agut is a capable player, but not a star, and he’s reaching an age where it gets harder to improve and easier to get worse.
Second fiddle
Pablo Carrena Busta
- Rank 20
- Age 30
Carrena Busta is the best second player in Group A, just one rank below Bautista Agut. However Carrena Busta tends to do better in the latter half of the season, so this early tournament could be tough.
Doubles pairing
Pablo Martinez
- Rank 60
- Age 24
Pablo Carrena Busta
- Rank 198
- Age 30
It’s a confusing choice from Spain to bring four singles players and one doubles player, especially when they have one of the best in Marcel Granollers, and the competent Feli Lopez, who would both have made strong doubles choices.
Chances
Despite missing Granollers and Nadal, Spain still looks strong in it’s group. They may be able to use their multitude of singles players to their advantage. Their only weakness is their doubles, so they may pull through on consistency alone.
Group B
Russia
Daniil Medvedev
Roman Safiullin
Evgeny Karlovskiy
The Carry
Daniil Medvedev
- Rank 2
- Age 25
Daniil Medevev won every match he played at last year’s cup, and this year he’ll have to do the same if Russia is to have a chance at defending the title. Using his creativity and phenomenal defence to carry the team.
Second fiddle
Roman Safiullin
- Rank 167
- Age 24
Safiullin has shown potential in the past, as a junior Australian Open winner. He made his grand slam debut last year at the same event. He’s still young and clearly progressing, but far from up to par with last year’s Russian squad.
Doubles pairing
Roman Safiullin
- Rank 377
- Age 24
Evgeny Karlovskiy
- Rank 590
- Age 27
A doubles pairing of the very lowest in the tournament, Medvedev might play doubles too, but has stated that he’s quite bad at it.
Chances
The Russian team can’t be trying sending this squad, there were so many better options. Without Rublev and Karatsev, a title defence is very unlikely, no matter how good Medvedev is.
Italy
Matteo Berrettini
Jannik Sinner
Lorenzo Sonego
Simone Bolelli
Fabio Fognini
The Carry
Matteo Berrettini
- Rank 7
- Age 25
A strong leader, grand slam finalist and multiple title winner. Berretini is just barely one of the very best players in the world, capable of beating anyone. However he has just recovered from a heartbreaking stomach injury which caused him to pull out of the ATP finals in front of his home crowd. Provided he recovers fully, he is the second best player in group B.
Second fiddle
Jannik Sinner
- Rank 10
- Age 20
A super strong second player, Sinner may even end the year higher ranked than Berrettini. Sinner is the third best player in Group B and should rake in plenty of victories for his team.
Doubles pairing
Simone Bolelli
- Rank 25
- Age 36
Fabio Fognini
- Rank 107
- Age 34
A strong pair, Bolleli is the dedicated doubles player and Fognini is the creative singles player who happens to be great in doubles too.
Chances
Italy has no weaknesses and plenty of strengths, similar to last year’s winners. Absolutely one of the favourites.
France
Ugo Umbert
Artur Rinderknech
Edouard Roger Vasselin
Fabrice Martin
The Carry
Ugo Umbert
- Rank 35
- Age 23
Ugo Umbert is a man capable of an upset, having beaten Tsitsipas, Zverev, Auger Aliassime. He even made the quarterfinals at the olympics. An offensive serve and volley player, and he’s full of potential.
Second fiddle
Artur Rinderknech
- Rank 58
- Age 26
Rinderknech made the top 100 last year for the first time, and played all the slams for the first time. He’s just reached the top of the scene, and has to prove himself if he wants to stay there.
Doubles pairing
Fabrice Martin
- Rank 27
- Age 35
Edouard Roger Vasselin
- Rank 42
- Age 38
France’s second best doubles duo isn’t bad, they haven’t paired since June, when they lost to J. Murray and Bambridge. They should be solid, but not as powerful as Mahut and Hughes Herbert.
Chances
France are missing their best weapons in Monfils, and the Hughes Herbert and Mahut duo (thanks to Hughes Herbert anti vax views). But they, more than any other team, have the power to upset. Their players have lots of potential, so this could be an interest run from France. The only thing missing from this approach is Hugo Gaston, one of their brightest young talents.
Australia (WC)
Alex de Minaur
James Duckworth
Max Purcell
John Peers
Luke Saville
The Carry
Alex De Minaur
- Rank 34
- Age 22
The speed demon won two titles last year in the first half of the year, but dropped from rank 15 down to 34 in the second half. If he finds form again, De Minaur is a fast counterpuncher who can pull off some big wins.
Second fiddle
James Duckworth
- Rank 49
- Age 29
Duckworth is very solidly top 50, not remotely volatile in his rank, he’ll beat anyone below him and lose to anyone above him.
Doubles pairing
John Peers
- Rank 13
- Age 33
Luke Saville
- Rank 23
- Age 27
Max Purcell (ranked 33) may also play, as Australia brought three doubles players, all of them are strong, and Australia may have the best doubles pair in Group B, which is a very competitive group.
Chances
Australia are in on a wildcard and the host nation, the crowd never fails to show up for the Aussies, but the nation has long suffered since the retirement of the likes of Pat Rafter and Leyton Hewitt. If De Minaur is at his best, then their only real weakness is Duckworth, who is relatively solid. Australia may end up being surprisingly good.
Group C
Germany
Alexander Zverev
Jan-Lennard Struff
Yannick Hanfmann
Kevin Krawiets
Tim Puetz
The Carry
Alexander Zverev
- Rank 3
- Age 24
Zverev wants that number one spot this year and carrying Germany to an ATP Cup victory would be a great start and lay claim to the Australian Open. He craves a grand slam this year, the powerful baseliner is the best player in Group C and wants to show good form here.
Second fiddle
Jan-Lennard Struff
- Rank 51
- Age 31
Struff is a reliable player who pulled through for Germany at their last team event, beating world number 12 Cam Norrie to secure a place in the semifinals.
Doubles pairing
Kevin Krawiets
- Rank 14
- Age 29
Tim Puetz
- Rank 18
- Age 34
This was a powerful duo at the Davis Cup, they were actually undefeated together, but the team lost on singles. This could be the best duo in the ATP Cup.
Chances
Alexander Zverev has rightly said that everyone has to play their part, and with this carry and doubles pair, Germany looks like one of the favourites.
Canada
Felix Auger Aliassime
Denis Shapovalov
Braydon Schnur
Steven Diez
The Carry
Felix Auger Aliassime
- Rank 11
- Age 21
FAA made the top ten for the first time last year after making the US Open semifinal, he’s young and full of potential under the coaching of Toni Nadal.
Second fiddle
Denis Shapovalov
- Rank 14
- Age 22
The argument could be made that Shapovalov is the best player on team Canada, and now under the coaching of Andy Murray’s former coach Jamie Delgado, he could crack the top ten again this year. Also full of potential and a strong asset for team Canada.
Doubles pairing
Denis Shapovalov
- Rank 82
- Age 22
Felix Auger Aliassime
- Rank 134
- Age 21
They have paired in the past and there is a natural benefit to having one lefty and one right hander in doubles. The risk is of them being overworked.
Chances
Canada has a good team. They’re undermanned, but have the potential to emerge from Group C as the victors.
Great Britain
Cameron Norrie
Daniel Evans
Liam Broady
Joe Salisbury
Jamie Murray
The Carry
Cameron Norrie
- Rank 12
- Age 26
Norrie had his breakthrough last year, by winning Indian Wells, through his disruptive play and sheer stamina. He’s now looking to cement his place as a top player and bring in a big result.
Second fiddle
Daniel Evans
- Rank 25
- Age 31
Daniel Evans is one of the stronger second players in the tournament, and capable of big upsets using his brilliant strategies, as we saw when he beat the world number one Novak Djokovic in Monte Carlo.
Doubles pairing
Joe Salisbury
- Rank 3
- Age 29
Jamie Murray
- Rank 19
- Age 35
This duo could be the strongest in the ATP Cup. With the absence of Croatia, Joe Salisbury is the highest ranked doubles player in the tournament. Both players are seasoned grand slam winners.
Chances
Britain has few weaknesses, and the doubles pair is a particular strength. However if they want to make the semifinals, Salisbury will have to avenge his Davis Cup loss to Krawiets and Puetz. Group C is a strong group, but Britain always seems to be able to pull through for team events.
USA
Taylor Fritz
John Isner
Brandon Nakashima
Rajeev Ram
The Carry
Taylor Fritz
- Rank 23
- Age 24
Fritz is off the back of his breakthrough season, with strong performances at Indian Wells and the Paris Masters. He can hang with the best, having beaten Cam Norrie, Andrey Rublev, Matteo Berrettini, Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner in the last part of the season. It’s a tough group, but when on form Fritz is up to the challenge.
Second fiddle
John Isner
- Rank 24
- Age 36
Big serving John Isner’s best years are behind him, but the man still has big weapons in his game, and should be a solid backup to Fritz.
Doubles pairing
Rajeev Ram
- Rank 4
- Age 37
John Isner
- Rank 206
- Age 36
Rajeev Ram is the second highest ranked doubles player in the ATP Cup, and John Isner’s serve makes this a hard to beat duo, yet another contender for the best one in the tournament.
Chances
If Fritz and Isner are firing on all cylinders then the USA has an outside chance of getting to the semifinals from the tough group C.
Group D
Greece
Stefanos Tsitsipas
Michail Pervolarakis
Petros Tsitsipas
Markos Kalovelonis
Aristotelis Thanos
The Carry
Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Rank 4
- Age 23
Tsitsipas will have the weight of Greece on him, no matter how hungry he says his team is, it will take a strong effort on his part to win. As Novak Djokovic proved in 2020, it is possible for a great player to carry the team. Tsitsipas’ aggressive baseline play must be perfect, he can’t afford to lose a match and fall back on his teammates.
Second fiddle
Michail Pervolarakis
- Rank 399
- Age 25
A lesser ranked player, unlikely to compete with the best, but could beat others of similar rank to him. He’ll be hoping that Stefanos Tsitsipas doesn’t drop any matches.
Doubles pairing
Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Rank 131
- Age 23
Petros Tsitsipas
- Rank 218
- Age 21
The Tsitsipas brothers should at least be familiar with each other’s games, but this pairing is running one legged. Petros is still quite young, and as such, spends most of his time competing in challengers with his younger brother Pavlos. This is probably the third best doubles pairing in Group D. Perhaps Petros is getting used to the ATP Cup in his third year.
Chances
It’s all on Stefanos to win this and try to emulate Djokovic in 2020. He must be perfect in play, and must lead his team in spirit too.
Poland
Hubert Hurkacz
Kamil Majchrzak
Kacper Zuk
Jan Zielinski
Szymon Walkow
The Carry
Hubert Hurkacz
- Rank 9
- Age 24
Hurkacz sits just outside the list of top tier players, 2021 was something of a breakthrough year for him. The Miami master champion and a strong all rounder, he’s good on all surfaces. Hurkacz hit some poor form at the end of the year, struggling in the ATP finals. If he find his form again, Poland has a strong leader to rally behind.
Second fiddle
Kamil Majchrzak
- Rank 117
- Age 24
By no means a bad player, Majchrzak has spent the last two years floating around the top 100, perhaps 2022 will be his breakthrough. He’s higher ranked than some of the other second fiddles in Group D.
Doubles pairing
Hubert Hurkacz
- Rank 81
- Age 24
Jan Zielinski
- Rank 96
- Age 25
Hurkacz is a better doubles player than his rank suggests and Zielinski is inside the top 100, this pairing could be solid. Poland’s best doubles player Lukasz Kubot is absent.
Chances
Poland has the second best singles player and probably the second best doubles pairing, but only the best gets to the semifinals, so Poland needs consistency to come through.
Argentina
Diego Schwartzman
Federico Delbonis
Federico Coria
Maximo Gonzales
Andres Molteni
The Carry
Diego Schwartzman
- Rank 13
- Age 29
A former top ten player, with some solid results over his career. A fast counterpuncher who can compete with the best on his day. 2021 saw him lose his top ten spot, and generally his best surface is clay, but his hardcourt game is still strong.
Second fiddle
Federico Delbonis
- Rank 44
- Age 31
Argentina’s version of Cam Norrie, some have said. He has a left handed and strange looking counterpunching style. Argentina may want to consider using Federico Coria instead, as Delbonis, though he may be in the top 50, is on a 10 match losing streak. The last player he beat was outside the top 700, back in July.
Doubles pairing
Maximo Gonzales
- Rank 22
- Age 38
Andres Molteni
- Rank 46
- Age 33
A strong doubles pairing from Argentina, Molteni and Gonazales are both high ranked and have partnered each other many times before, especially when they were playing in the ITF tournaments. However they aren’t each other’s usual partner. Strangely it’s not the strongest doubles pairing they could have fielded, with world number eight Horacio Zeballos missing the ATP Cup. Gonzales also paired Zeballos more recently in September, and last paired Molteni in June.
Chances
Argentina has a lot of solid players, and probably the best doubles pairing in Group D, but no special talent. However if Schwartzmann can beat one or more of the two higher ranked players than him (Tsitsipas and Hurkacz), as he is well capable of, then the rest of Argentina should be able to pull their weight, and they stand a good chance of getting out of the group stage.
Georgia
Nikoloz Basilashvili
Aleksandre Metreveli
Aleksandre Bakshi
Zura Tkemaladze
Saba Purtseladze
The Carry
Nikoloz Basilashvili.
- Rank 22
- Age 29
The reason Georgia has qualified, and really their only noteworthy player. A solid player, who has some great moments, particularly at the 2021 Indian Wells, where he reached the final.
Second fiddle
Aleksandre Metreveli
- Rank 572
- Age 28
It’s hard to see Metreveli winning any matches against big names, but maybe he can beat enough low rank players to see Georgia through to the semifinals, with Basilashvili leading the way.
Doubles pairing
Nikoloz Basilashvili
- Rank 355
- Age 29
Zura Tkemaladze
- Rank 625
- Age 21
Likely the pairing, as Tkemaladze has played the most successful doubles. Basilashvili is their best player by far and will be hoping to become this team’s Djokovic.
Chances
Slim. Without some kind of miracle from Basilashvili, it’s hard to see Georgia making it past the group stage, as all of their other players sit outside the top 500. At least most of their players are young (Bakshi is 24, Tkemaladze is 21, Purtseladze is 20), so they can potentially use the event to learn from Basilashvili and propel their own individual careers forward.
Favourites
Group A: Spain
- Easier group
Group B: Italy
- Fairly strong group
Group C: Germany
- Tough group
Group D: Greece
- Easiest group
Overall Favourite: Italy
Prediction: Italy will beat Germany in the final.
