Alex De Minaur has claimed one of the biggest victories of his career, defeating world No.7 Matteo Berrettini 6-3 7-6(4).
The result helped Team Australia to an upset ATP Cup win over Team Italy, with John Peers and Luke Saville securing the 2-1 victory in the doubles match.
World No. 34 De Minaur was an underdog coming into his singles match-up with Berrettini but produced a stellar performance in front of home fans at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney.
The 22-year-old Australian claimed a strong first set win, before taking out the tiebreaker 7-4 in the second set.
The result equals the best win of his career (by ranking), alongside victories over formerly-ranked No.7s Kei Nishikori and Alexander Zverev.
It is De Minaur’s fifth career top-10 win and his first since January 2020, breaking a nine-match losing run against top 10-ranked players.
Speaking after the match, the Australian was appreciative of the home support he received.
“I think it’s no secret that this court brings out the best in me,” De Minaur said.
“This is what you work hard for, to play on your home court in front of friends and family.
"And playing for Australia, there is no greater honour.”
All class from Alex! 🇦🇺❤️️
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 2, 2022
Watch: Channel 9
Stream: https://t.co/zXvqQpixd0#9WWOS #Tennis #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/miJ2l9LloP
The Australians found themselves down 1-0 early after Jannik Sinner took care of Max Purcell in straight sets (6-1 6-3).
James Duckworth was ruled out with a hip injury only hours before the first match, with No. 176 ranked Purcell brought in to face the talented Italian youngster.
De Minaur's victory left the score balanced at 1-1, with a doubles match between Australia's John Peers and Luke Saville and Italy's Matteo Berrettini and Simone Bolelli set as the decider.
Team Australia claimed the victory 6-3 7-5, aided by a boisterous and excited home crowd.
Peers and Saville saved a set point down 4-5 in the second set, before winning the last nine points of the match and claiming a hard-fought result.
Upset complete ✅@johnwpeers and @LukeSaville18 def. Berrettini/Bolelli 6-3, 7-5 to claim victory for #TeamAustralia over #TeamItaly in Group B.#ATPCup pic.twitter.com/CBobyEyZru
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 2, 2022
Australia has made the perfect start to their ATP Cup campaign in Group B.
Considered the 'group of death', Team Australia face reigning tournament champions Russia on Tuesday, while Italy plays France in the other tie.
If the home side is to claim that tie, they will be in a strong position to progress to the semi-finals.
The ATP Cup has not been short of upsets so far, with World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev stunned by Frenchman Ugo Humbert in a rousing five-set match on the second day of the competition.
