ATP Cup Preview: Can Greece & Australia Halt Spain In Group B?

Second-seeded Spain headlines Group B at the 2021 ATP Cup, which begins on 2 February in Melbourne. The second edition of the event features 12 countries competing across four groups, with the top teams from each group advancing to the knockout semi-finals.

Here is everything you need to know about Group B: who is playing, when they’ll hit the court and how to follow all the action.

Group B: Spain, Greece, Australia
Last year’s finalist Spain 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 9-1 ATP Head2Head record against Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alex de Minaur, the other No. 1 singles players in the group. 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.

Former Nitto ATP Finals champion Tsitsipas shoulders his country’s hopes as they look to avenge their 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.

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.

Meet The Group B Players

Spain	Greece	Australia
Rafael Nadal	Stefanos Tsitsipas	Alex de Minaur
Roberto Bautista Agut	Michail Pervolarakis	John Millman
Pablo Carreno Busta	Markos Kalovelonis	John Peers
Marcel Granollers	Petros Tsitsipas	Luke Saville

Three Group B Matches To Watch

Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)
The last day of round-robin action will feature one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament as 35-time ATP Masters 1000 champion Nadal faces 2019 Nitto ATP Finals winner Tsitsipas. The World No. 2 will come in with a commanding 6-1 lead in their ATP Head2Head, but should be ready for a stern test against a player who has pushed him to a deciding set in three of their most recent four matches.

Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs Alex de Minaur (AUS)
Nadal managed to keep an inspired de Minaur at bay at last year’s ATP Cup, and the Aussie will get the chance to exact revenge as Australia once again takes on Spain. It was the first time in three attempts that De Minaur had claimed a set against Nadal, but it was not enough to put away the Spaniard who won seven of the final eight games of the match.

Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) vs John Millman (AUS)
Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut will be looking to extend his undefeated streak at the ATP Cup as he gets his campaign started against John Millman. The familiar foes will meet for the sixth time, and although Millman is still looking for his first victory, he has pushed the Spaniard to a deciding set on three occasions. In their previous match on Australian soil, Bautista Agut narrowly escaped in a dramatic five-set marathon against Millman in the second round of the 2019 Australian Open.

Where To Watch ATP Cup
TV Schedule

Group B Schedule 
View full group stage schedule

Tuesday, 2 February: Spain vs Australia

Rod Laver Arena - starts 5:30pm
Roberto Bautista Agut vs John Millman
Not before 7:00pm
Rafael Nadal vs Alex de Minaur
Followed by doubles match - Players TBC

Wednesday, 3 February: Greece vs Australia

Rod Laver Arena - starts 5:30pm
Michail Pervolarakis vs John Millman
Not before 7:00pm
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alex de Minaur
Followed by doubles match - Players TBC

Thursday, 4 February: Spain vs Greece

Rod Laver Arena - starts 5:30pm
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Michail Pervolarakis
Not before 7:00pm
Rafael Nadal vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Followed by doubles match - Players TBC

*Match schedule is subject to change in line with ATP rules and regulations

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