DAY 3 of the ATP Cup brought plenty of interest and close encounters with Australia the only country to claim all three games.

Group F:
Australia 3 defeated Canada 0
John Millman (AUS) defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 6-4 6-2
Alex de Minaur (AUS) defeated Denis Shapovalov 6-7 (6) 6-4 6-2
Guccione/Peers (AUS) defeated Auger Aliassime/Shamasdin 3-6 7-6 10-8

The Australians came out with a point to prove winning all three of their matches to make light work of their Canadian opponents. John Millman did not muck around against Felix Auger-Aliassime finishing the game in two sets 6-4 6-2 to kick off the Aussie campaign. Denis Shapovalov pushed youngster Alex de Minaur to his limits forcing a three setter and a tie breaker in the first, but the Aussie showed grit and determination to collect the win.

Germany 2 defeated Greece 1
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) defeated Michail Pervolarakis (GRE) 6-4 6-1
Alexander Zverev (GER) defeated by Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 1-6 4-6
Krawietz/Mies (GER) defeated Pervolarakis/Tsitsipas 3-6 6-3

It was a battle of the young guns with Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev going head to head for their respective countries. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing outing for the German who struggled to find his rhythm against the big hitting Tsitsipas, going down 1-6 4-6 but that was the only blip on their radar with Germany going on to win the other two outings. Jan-Lennard Struff put out a strong performance, making light work of Michail Pervolarakis who was no match for his big serves. Despite Tsitsipas playing in the doubles it was not enough to get his country over the line.

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Group D:
Italy 2 defeated Norway 1
Stefano Travaglia (ITA) defeated Viktor Durasovic (NOR) 6-1 6-1
Fabio Fognini (ITA) defeated by Casper Ruud (NOR) 2-6 2-6
Bolelli/Fognini (ITA) defeated Durasovic/Ruud (NOR) 6-3 7-6

Italy started Day 3 in hot form with Stefano Travaglia getting on top of Viktor Durasoivc early and not letting up with his impressive hitting and ball placement to win 6-1 6-1. Travaglia made no mistake with the match only lasting 56 minutes. Casper Ruud was a shining light for Norway with the 53rd seed pushing Fabio Fognini to his limits and bringing out the big guns to get the job done. Fognini combined well with Simone Bolelli to claim the doubles win thanks to their strength and work on the second serve.

Russia 2 defeated USA 1
Karen Khachanov (RUS) defeated Taylor Fritz (USA) 3-6 7-5 6-1
Danil Medvedev (RUS) defeated John Isner (USA) 6-3 6-1
Khachanov/Medvedev (RUS) defeated by Krajicek/Ram (USA) 3-6 4-6

The Russians got off to a good start winning both of their singles matches but dropped their doubles game against the fresh legs of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram. Daniil Medvedev was in hot form once again unfazed by the pressure applied by opponent John Isner downing him in two sets 6-3 6-1. Medvedev saved both break points and let his serve do all the talking winning 22 out of 27 of his first serve points. American Taylor Fritz put up a strong fight but ultimately could not keep up with Karen Khachanov who turned on the heat when needed to win in three sets 3-6 7-5 6-1.

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Group C:
Bulgaria 2 defeated Moldova 1
Dimitar Kuzmanov (BUL) defeated Alexander Cozbinov (MDA) 6-1 7-5
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) defeated Radu Albot (MDA) 6-2 6-3
Dimitrov/Lazarov (BUL) defeated by Albot/Cozbinov (MDA) 4-6 6-7

Both Moldova and Bulgaria had a lot to prove making for a tight contest. Dimitar Kuzmanov started strong and carried that momentum throughout the match to prevail in a tight contest against Alexander Cozbinov. He was solid on the return showing he had an answer for just about everything he had thrown at him. Grigor Dimitrov highlighted his fire power racking up five aces while his opponent Radu Albot could not replicate the same form. Moldova were rewarded for their efforts winning their doubles match thanks to Albot and Cozbinov combining and overcoming a tough set to reign supreme 4-6 6-7.

Belgium 1 defeated by Great Britain 2
Steve Darcis (BEL) defeated Cameron Norrie (GBR) 6-2 6-4
D Goffin (BEL) defeated by D Evans (GBR) 4-6 4-6
Gille/Vliegen (BEL) defeated by J Murray/Salisbury (GBR) 3-6 6-7

Steve Darcis came to play, downing British opponent Cameron Norrie 6-2 6-4. Darcis stuck to his strengths and made Norrie work for every ball but that was the only win for Belgium with Great Britain taking control of the games to come. The class and experience of Jamie Murray was on full display in the doubles pairing well with teammate Joe Salisbury to deny any easy points and were clean on the serve not recording any double faults as opposed to their opponents Sander Gille and Jordan Vliegen who amassed four.