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Published 21:58 IST, January 4th 2020

Nadal and Djokovic off to winning starts at ATP Cup

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic kickstarted their build-up to the Australian Open with straight-sets wins at the ATP Cup on Saturday, January 4.

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Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic kickstarted their build-up to the Australian Open with straight-sets wins at the ATP Cup on Saturday, but world number four Dominic Thiem slumped to defeat.

Top-ranked Nadal had little trouble with Georgia's Nikoloz Basilashvili, racing to a 6-3, 7-5 victory, while long-time rival Djokovic was given more of a test by South Africa's Kevin Anderson before overcoming him 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (8/6).

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Read | With ATP Cup and Davis Cup, Rafael Nadal slams presence of '2 World Cups' in tennis

Their wins ensured Spain and Serbia clinched their ties at the inaugural 24-nation team event, where the countries are split into six groups across Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. The top eight from the round-robin go onto the knockout phase in Sydney before one is eventually crowned the winner.

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France, Argentina, Croatia and Japan also began their tournament in style, winning their ties to join day one victors Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Norway, Russia and Australia.

Read | Rafael Nadal says that ATP Cup 2020 will not be treated as preparation for Australian Open

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"I'm super, super happy to be here in Perth for the first time in my life. It's an amazing arena and a great crowd," said Nadal.

"It was tough first match of the season, not an easy start. But I think I played a great game." 

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Earlier, his teammate Roberto Bautista Agut crushed a hapless Aleksandre Metreveli 6-0, 6-0.

Serbian superstar Djokovic needed to produce some of his best tennis to see off the big-serving Anderson, admitting it was a testing encounter.

Read | Djokovic leads calls for ATP Cup, Davis Cup to merge

"What a way to start the year," he said. "He was on fire tonight -- I think the quality of tennis was quite high. 

"I was very pleased with the way I kind of weathered the storm." 

His teammate Dusan Lajovic outlasted Lloyd Harris 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.

Read | Monfils secures France's first victory at the new ATP Cup

21:58 IST, January 4th 2020