Djokovic down to business as Thiem bungles Italian job

MELBOURNE (News Wires) – Novak Djokovic kicked off his 2021 season in style on his favourite Rod Laver Arena court with a clinical 7-5 7-5 win over Canadian talent Denis Shapovalov in the ATP Cup yesterday, Reuters reported.
Leading Serbia’s title defence in the team-based event, Djokovic was thrilled with his form in the Group A clash, a rematch of last year’s quarter-final against Shapovalov.
“It’s a great opening of the season. I hope all of you who came here enjoyed it because I certainly did,” the world number one told a small crowd at the stadium, soaking up boisterous cheers from Serbian fans.
Last year the Canadian had pushed Djokovic to a third-set tiebreak but the Serb wrapped things up more quickly yesterday, breaking Shapovalov as he served to stay in the match.
Himself unbroken on serve, Djokovic sealed the match with a sparkling winner, scrambling to his right to whip a curling forehand passing shot down the line.
The win levelled the tie at 1-1 after Canada’s Milos Raonic had eased past Dusan Lajovic 6-3 6-4.
Djokovic, who will bid for a record-extending ninth Australian Open title, will play in the decisive doubles as he looks to extend his unbeaten record in the ATP Cup to 10 matches.
While Djokovic enjoyed a dream start, Austria’s world number three Dominic Thiem slumped to a 6-2 6-4 defeat to Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in his opener.
Blasting groundstrokes metres past the baseline, the US Open champion was broken four times in a rusty display at John Cain Arena as Berrettini dominated the clash of hard-hitters.
Thiem rallied in the second set to break Berrettini for the first time but surrendered the match the way he played it, with a big swing at a backhand that thudded into the net.
Having pushed Djokovic to five sets in the Australian Open final last year, Thiem is among the top contenders looking to dethrone the Serb at the February 8-21 Grand Slam.
Berrettini was ecstatic to take down Thiem in the Group C tie and put Italy back on level terms with Austria at 1-1 after Dennis Novak romped past Fabio Fognini 6-3 6-2 in the morning.
“I’m really happy for my performance,” Berrettini said on court.
“Playing for your country is something special.”
The winning nations of the four groups advance to the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, World number two Rafael Nadal pulled out of Spain’s opening ATP Cup tie against Australia yesterday, complaining of a stiff lower back.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion was due to take the court against Australia’s top-ranked player Alex De Minaur, but opted to rest instead as he prepares for the Australian Open next week.
“Hi all, we have decided with Team Spain and my team, to not play today the first match of the ATP Cup here in Melbourne since I have a stiff low back,” he tweeted.
Nadal added that he hoped to have recovered by Thursday, when Spain meet Greece.
Spanish number two Roberto Bautista Agut will now face de Minaur, while John Millman takes on Pablo Carreno Busta in the opening rubber.
Nadal, who is aiming for a record-breaking 21st Slam title in Melbourne, moving him past the injured Roger Federer, played an exhibition in Adelaide on Friday, beating Dominic Thiem 7-5, 6-4.