ATP Cup 2020: Predictions for every group and best matchups to watch
Group B (Perth)
Teams: Spain, Japan, Georgia and Uruguay
Predicted Winner: Spain
Spain should easily win this group. Rafael Nadal is playing fantastically well and for once does not seem to have any injury concerns. Roberto Bautista Agut capped off a highly successful 2019 season with the Davis Cup win with his Spanish teammates. None of the teams have what it takes to beat the Davis Cup holders here.
Key matchup to watch: Rafael Nadal vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Rafael Nadal is arguably in the form of his life. He has lost only twice since the Madrid Open in May. He has dominated matches, often winning without breaking a sweat.
Kei Nishikori, another player on a comeback trail having ended his 2019 season with an elbow injury after the US Open, was due to be Nadal’s opponent before he dropped out. Japan’s chances of qualifying as group winners rest on this tie so instead it falls on Yoshihito Nishioka to produce a special performance against Nadal.
Group C (Sydney)
Teams: Belgium, Great Britain, Bulgaria and Moldova
Predicted Winner: Belgium
This will be another tough one to predict but Belgium are backed to win this group, simply because they have the better No. 2 players. Belgium and Bulgaria both have two strong No. 1 players in David Goffin and Grigor Dimitrov but Belgium’s Steve Darcis is the superior No. 2 player when compared to Dimitar Kuzmanov of Bulgaria. Andy Murray’s withdrawal is a big blow to GB’s hopes.
Key matchup to watch: Grigor Dimitrov vs David Goffin
Belgium are the top seed in this group but without an established No. 2 player, they are hugely dependent on David Goffin to win his matches over the course of the tournament, which is the same situation for Bulgaria with Grigor Dimitrov. This match between the leading players for each country could be the one that helps to decide the group.
Group D (Perth)
Teams: Russia, Italy, the United States and Norway
Predicted Winner: Russia
Russia are among the favorites along with Spain to win the ATP Cup but they will be pushed very hard here. This group will have close matches in all ties as the teams are so closely matched. If Danill Medvedev recovers from his hip injury and plays at his peak, then Russia are the pick in this group. Matteo Berrettini’s withdrawal means Italy has Fabio Fognini as their top-seeded player. It could be close.
Key matchup to watch: Danill Medvedev vs John Isner
Danill Medvedev is coming off a hip injury and big-serving John Isner could be his and Russia’s big test in a tricky group. Medvedev is generally a great returner but he is yet to face the quality of Isner’s serve. The ATP Cup will be their first-ever meeting.