ATP Cup: Daniil Medvedev suffers shock defeat against Ugo Humbert

Daniil Medvedev suffered a shock defeat in
his opening match of 2022 against France’s Ugo Humbert Sunday at the ATP Cup in
Sydney, upsetting his preparations for the upcoming Australian Open.

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Medvedev is leading a Russian team in
Sydney depleted by injuries and COVID-19 as they look to defend the title won
against Italy last year. But the US Open champion Medvedev, who captured four
tour-level titles in 2021, was defeated by impressive 35th-ranked Ugo Humbert.

Humbert was trailing by a set and then
pulled off a big upset 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) in a gruelling two hour 55
minutes match as Medvedev could not cope with Sydney’s scorching heat.

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“It was very tough today, but I’m very
happy,” said Humbert after one of the biggest wins of his career. “I
had some opportunities in the first set, and I just tried to stay relaxed, stay
focused on what I had to do and it was a great match,” he added.

With fifth-ranked Andrey Rublev missing the
ATP Cup after contracting coronavirus at an Abu Dhabi exhibition last month,
unheralded Roman Safiullin was drafted in as Russia’s second singles player.

Also Read: Roger Federer drops out of the top 10 in latest ATP rankings

Ranked 167, Safiullin saved 15 of 19
breakpoints to pull off a 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over France’s Arthur Rinderknech to
set the stage for World No. 2 Medvedev, who could be the top seed at this
month’s Australian Open if defending champion Novak Djokovic fails to show up.

Djokovic has not yet confirmed his
availability for the Australian Open because of the vaccine directive by the
Melbourne Park organisers, which made vaccination mandatory for all the
participating players.  Djokovic had also
pulled out of the ATP Cup.

Also Read: ‘Only legends will understand’: Medvedev on celebration after US Open win

In the ATP Cup, Russia are put into a tough
group that also includes hosts Australia and 2021 runner-up Italy, led by world
number seven Matteo Berrettini. They play each other in an evening tie with
Berrettini facing Alex de Minaur.

Only the winning nations progress to the
semi-finals from each of the four groups in the team event, which runs until 9
January.