Twelve countries compete across four groups in the 2021 ATP Cup which begins on Tuesday, 2 February, in Melbourne.
The top teams from each group advance to the knock-out semi-finals.
Second-seeded Spain headlines Group B which includes Greece and Australia. This means that Spain, last year’s finalist, will have to go through Greece and Australia if they want another shot at the ATP Cup trophy. World No. 2 Rafael Nadal is set to lead his nation for the second year in a row, bolstered by his combined record against Greece’s champ Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alex de Minaur, Australia’s No. 1.
Spain will be a strong contender for every point as undefeated Roberto Bautista Agut reprises the No. 2 singles player role, and seasoned stars Pablo Carreno Busta and Marcel Granollers wait in the wings in doubles.
READ MORE: Stefanos Tsitsipas on being an elite player, ‘partying’ in Dubai during COVID-19 and keeping humble
Former Nitto ATP Finals champion Tsitsipas hopes Greece will avenge the country’s 2020 showing: Tsitsipas won one match out of three as Greece bowed out with a 0-3 record, which included a defeat at the hands of Australia. The 22-year-old will contest a rematch of the 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals championship match against De Minaur on Day 2 as he seeks to extend his perfect 3-0 ATP Head2Head record.
READ MORE: Team Greece in high spirits, as ATP Cup countdown begins
De Minaur’s Australia made it to the ATP Cup semi-finals last year, and the hosts are hoping to continue springing surprises against Spain and Greece. The 21-year-old Aussie put in some stellar performances, even taking a set off Nadal in a thrilling semi-final encounter. He’s set to get another shot at the 20-time Grand Slam champion as Australia opens against Spain on Day 1.
