Italy through to ATP Cup semis

Italy has become the first country to secure an ATP Cup semi-final berth after defeating France today.

After their 2-1 victory over Austria yesterday, the Italians won both singles matches as Fabio Fognini beat Benoit Paire 6-1 7-6 (7-2) in the opening singles rubber before Matteo Berrettini sealed the tie with a 6-4 6-2 defeat of Gael Monfils.

In the other early tie of the day Alexander Zverev overcame Denis Shapovalov in an almost three-hour battle to enable Germany to beat Canada.

Zverev beat Shapovalov 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 7-6 (7-4) after Jan-Lennard Struff had beaten former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-2) in the earlier game.

Having lost 2-1 to Serbia yesterday, Canada are now out of semi-final contention.

“The ATP Cup is just as big as the Davis Cup right now, with the new format that the Davis Cup is having,” Zverev said.

“So we want to go match by match. Tomorrow we got the defending champions, that’s not going to be easy for us.”