ATP Cup 2020: Predictions for every group and best matchups to watch
The first edition of the ATP Cup begins this week and as part of our preview coverage we have predicted the outcome of every group and the overall winners.
A new decade of tennis kicks off with an exciting new tournament in the form of the ATP Cup.
The men’s tennis tournament will be held at different venues (Brisbane, Perth, and Sydney) and it is the first ATP team competition since the World Team Cup in 2012.
There are 24 teams divided into 6 groups of 4 nations each, with each location hosting the play of two different groups.
The winners of the 6 groups along with the two best runners-up will contest the quarterfinals, with each tie in the competition comprising two singles matches and one doubles contest.
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The ATP Cup borrows certain elements from the new Davis Cup, mainly the two singles and one doubles match format but also brings about some new developments on the ATP Tour, one being that ranking points are awarded.
A maximum of 750 is available to a player based on their team’s progress, their individual match results, the stage of the competition and the quality of the opponent.
On-court coaching will be allowed to take place in between games, something usually seen in the WTA Tour.
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The countries qualified based on the ATP Ranking of its No. 1 singles player, with Switzerland not playing after Roger Federer withdrew from the tournament.
As part of our ATP Cup coverage, we have previewed each group and provided a top matchup to watch along with a prediction.
Group A (Brisbane)
Teams: Serbia, France, South Africa and Chile
Predicted Winner: Serbia
Expect it to be a tough fight between Serbia and France but Serbia are backed to just pull through. Novak Djokovic, at this time of the year, is usually unbeatable and Dusan Lajovic can more than hold his own against Benoit Paire or Gilles Simon.
Key matchup to watch: Novak Djokovic vs Kevin Anderson
While a good all-round France team poses the biggest threat, the opening match against South Africa will also be key to whether Serbia can make it out of the group or not. Kevin Anderson had a rough 2019, bogged down by injuries and poor run of form.
He enters 2020 world-ranked 91st but Anderson is fresh and fully focused to impress in this tournament. He has experience playing top rivals at the highest level and if he can get a win over world number two Djokovic, who he has beaten twice before, then Serbia would be in trouble. It should be a good battle.