Nadal and Djokovic off to winning starts at ATP Cup

Rafael Nadal and vak Djokovic kickstarted ir build-up to Australian Open with straight-sets wins at 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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ir wins ensured Spain and Serbia clinched ir ties at inaugural 24-nation team event, where countries are split into six groups across Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. top eight from round-robin go onto kckout phase in Sydney before one is eventually crowned winner.

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

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

"It was tough first match of season, t an easy start. But I think I played a great game." 

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 big-serving Anderson, admitting it was a testing encounter.

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

"I was very pleased with way I kind of weared storm." 

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

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