Spain beat Chile at start of ATP Cup, Argentina beat Georgia

First modification: 01/01/2022 – 23:04Last modification: 01/01/2022 – 23:02

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Sidney (AFP) – Roberto Bautista gave Spain a perfect start to the year on Saturday by crushing Chile’s Cristian Garín, world number 17, at the ATP Cup in Australia.

The 33-year-old Spaniard, world number 19, prevailed with scores of 6-0 and 6-3 at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena, securing his country’s victory on the first day of the season-opening tournament.

“I had a very solid game, good pace and good speed,” declared Bautista. “I am very happy because I won my point for the team,” he said.

Bautista became the leader of Spain’s singles after his compatriot Rafael Nadal, winner of 20 Grand Slam tournaments, chose to direct his efforts to be at the Australian Open, which will be played from January 17 to 30 in Melbourne.

Nadal tested positive for COVID-19 recently after participating in an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi.

The other Spanish point of this opening Saturday was achieved, with a little more difficulty, by Pablo Carreño (20th) against Alejandro Tabilo (139th), 6-4 and 7-6 (7/4).

For its part, Argentina beat Georgia without excessive complications on this first day.

Diego Schwartzman (13th) dominated Nikoloz Basilashvili (22nd) in two sets, 6-1 and 6-2, while Federico Delbonis achieved the same result against Aleksandre Metreveli.

Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, world number 4 and operated on his right elbow at the end of November, resigned from his singles match this Saturday. In it, the Pole Hubert Hurkacz (9th) easily beat Aristolis Thanos 6-1 and 6-2.

Tsitsipas was able to play the doubles match, in which Greece won 6-4, 5-7 and 10-8.

Poland beat the Hellenes 2-1 for their two singles victories, as Kamil Majchrzak beat Michail Pervolarakis (6-1, 6-4).

Tsitsipas had no problems during the doubles match, noting that his elbow recovery is “on track” and that his drop in singles was “out of a precaution.”

“I pray that I can play (singles) on Monday against Argentina,” he added about his planned match against Schwartzman.

Serbia, without Novak Djokovic, beat Norway 2-1 in Group A thanks to their doubles victory and Filip Krajinovic’s victory over Viktor Durasovic 6-2, 7-5. The Norwegian point was signed by Casper Rudd by defeating Dusan Lajovic 6-3 and 7-5.

© 2022 AFP

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