ATP Cup 2020: Predictions for every group and best matchups to watch

Group E (Sydney)

Teams: Austria, Croatia, Argentina and Poland

Predicted Winner: Argentina

Another tight group to call but Argentina are backed to spring a surprise. Dominic Thiem has been in superb form since the Laver Cup but it will be too much for him to do it all alone as Austria’s No. 2 Dennis Novak is simply not as good as Guido Pella or Marin Cilic. Borna Coric had a long injury layoff in the 2019 season and he may well be rusty. Poland should not be counted out either as both Hubert Hurkacz and Kamil Majchrzak are capable of pulling off some upset wins.

Key matchup to watch: Diego Schwartzman vs Hubert Hurkacz

For Argentina to win this group, they have to beat Poland. For that, Diego Schwartzman needs to be at his best against Hubert Hurkacz. Interestingly, they have never faced each other. Hurkacz has a big serve and his movement is impressive for someone his size. Schwartzman’s returning is world-class but his serve is still a huge liability and he will need to produce some impressive tennis to get Argentina through.

Group F (Brisbane)

Teams: Germany, Greece, Canada and Australia

Predicted Winner: Australia

The Group of Death and a nightmare for predictors. Germany have two very strong players in Alexander Zverev and Jan-Lennard Struff. So do Canada with the in-form Denis Shapovalov and the prodigious Felix Auger-Aliassime. Australia have the speed Demon in Alex de Minaur and the mercurial talents of Nick Kyrgios. Leading Greece is the hugely talented Stefanos Tsitsipas.

In a tight group such as this, Australia can emerge. De Minaur is in a good nick at the moment and Kyrgios has shown that he can play well in team competitions, having previously enjoyed and impressed at the Laver Cup. Add to that, they will have the motivation of performing with the huge support of the home crowd.

Key matchup to watch: Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Nick Kyrgios

More than 5 years ago, Nick Kyrgios burst onto the world stage with a stunning performance to beat the then-World No. 1 Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon with many marking the moment as the birth of a new star. Since then, he has made just one Slam quarterfinal and in the eyes of most tennis analysts, failed to live up to his huge talents and potential.

Felix Auger-Aliassime is in that stage of his career with most professionals regarding him as the best prodigy since Rafael Nadal. Two hugely talented players, with vastly different game styles and attitudes, mean this could be a highly entertaining match and one that Canada needs to win to stand a chance of qualifying.

Final 8 and tournament winner

I expect two of France, the U.S. and Canada to make the quarters as the two best second-place teams. That means our top 8 will be, Serbia, Spain, Belgium, Russia, Argentina, Australia and two of France, the USA and Canada.

From those teams, Spain are backed to be the winners, beating Russia in a possible final. The choice was easy to make. Rafael Nadal is in scintillating form. Roberto Bautista Agut is the highest-ranked No. 2 player in the ATP Cup and Spain are the reigning Davis Cup champions.

They have received a very kind group and can build from there, so they are our pre-tournament pick to win the first ATP Cup.