FRIDAY marked day one of the ATP Cup taking place in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.

With bushfires affecting much of the east and southern coasts of Australia, the ATP Tour has decided to donate one hundred dollars per ace hit at the ATP Cup for the Australian Red Cross bushfire disaster relief, with a number of high profile Australians jumping on board. Australians Nick Kyrgios, Alex De Minaur and John Millman are some of many across the sport who have further pledged to donate money per ace this summer for bushfire relief.

Group C:
Belgium 3 defeated Moldova 0
Steve Darcis (BEL) defeated Alexander Cozbinov (MDA) 6-4 6-7 7-5
David Goffin (BEL) defeated Radu Albot (MDA) 6-4 6-1
Gille/ Vliegen (BEL) defeated Albot/ Cozbinov (MDA) 6-7 7-6 [11-9]

Belgium had a successful start to the tournament with a 3-0 sweep over Moldova in Sydney. Veteran Steve Darcis survived a major scare from world number 818 Alexander Cozbinov to win 6-4 6-7 7-5 in a contest that lasted over three hours. Cozbinov fought bravely and had multiple chances to take the third set into a tie-break, but could not capitalise on his opportunities. David Goffin did not lose a game on serve in his classy 6-4 6-1 victory over Radu Albot, and the Belgians then won the doubles in a close finish 6-7 7-6 [11-9]. This concluded a tough day for the Moldovans, after tournament officials mistakenly played the Romanian national anthem instead of their own before the first match.

Bulgaria 2 defeated Great Britain 1
Cameron Norrie (GBR) defeated Dimitar Kuzmanov (BUL) 6-2 3-6 6-2
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) defeated Daniel Evans (GBR) 2-6 6-4 6-1
Dimitrov/ Lazarov (BUL) defeated Murray/ Salisbury (GBR) 7-6 6-7 [11-9]

Bulgaria had a stunning win over Great Britain to start their ATP Cup campaign. After a tough loss for Dimitar Kuzmanov 6-2 3-6 6-2 in the opening match, Grigor Dimitrov pulled off a pair of wins in an amazing performance. He came from a set down to beat Great Britain’s Daniel Evans, then alongside Alexandar Lazarov led the 477th ranked doubles player in the world to victory against established doubles pairing Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury 7-6 6-7 [11-9]. Lazarov had never previously won a tour-level doubles match, so it is fair to say the Bulgarians stepped up.

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Group D:
Norway 2 defeated United States 1
Taylor Fritz (USA) defeated Viktor Durasovic (NOR) 6-2 6-2
Casper Ruud (NOR) defeated John Isner (USA) 6-7 7-6 7-5
Durasovic/ Ruud (NOR) defeated Krajicek/ Ram (USA) 4-6 6-3 [10-5]

Norway caused the biggest upset of day one, taking down the United States in an incredible comeback victory. Big-serving American, Taylor Fritz got USA off to a dream start, winning 96 per cent of first serve points in a dominant victory over Viktor Durasovic 6-2 6-2. Norwegian Casper Ruud then produced one of the best wins of his young career, saving two match points en route to defeating world number 19 John Isner 6-7 7-6 7-5. It came down to the doubles, where Durasovic and Ruud closed it out in a tense tie-break 4-6 6-3 [10-5]. The win triggered jubilant scenes for the Norwegians after they were last team to qualify for the 24-nation tournament.

Russia 3 defeated Italy 0
Karen Khachanov (RUS) defeated Stefano Travaglia (ITA) 7-5 6-3
Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated Fabio Fognini (ITA) 1-6 6-1 6-3
Khachanov/ Medvedev (RUS) defeated Bolelli/ Lorenzi (ITA) 6-4 6-3

Russia had a strong start in their ATP Cup opener, taking down Italy 3-0 in Perth. World number 17 Karen Khachanov defeated Italian, Stefano Travaglia 7-5 6-3 despite being 2-5 down and saving a set point in the first set, then Daniil Medvedev battled past Fabio Fognini 1-6 6-1 6-3 in a quality matchup. The two Russians teamed up to win the doubles 6-4 6-3 without giving any break points for a clean sweep against the Italians.

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Group F:
Canada 3 defeated Greece 0
Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) defeated Michail Pervolarakis (GRE) 6-1 6-3
Denis Shapovalov (CAN) defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 7-6 7-6
Shapovalov/Auger-Aliassime (CAN) defeated Tsitsipas/Pervolarakis (GRE) 6-2 6-3

Davis Cup runner-up Canada continued its strong run of form with a clean sweep of Greece. Canadian youngster Felix Auger-Aliassime proved far too good for Michail Pervolarakis, dropping just four games on his way to a 6-1 6-3 victory. Teammate Denis Shapovalov backed this up with a high-quality upset win over world number six Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 7-6. The Canadians then easily won the doubles 6-2 6-3, ensuring that their tournament was off to the perfect start.

Australia 3 defeated Germany 0
Nick Kyrgios (AUS) defeated Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) 6-4 7-6
Alex De Minaur (AUS) defeated Alexander Zverev (GER) 4-6 7-6 6-2
Guccione/ Peers (AUS) defeated Krawietz/ Mies (GER) 6-3 6-4

Australian fans were right behind their side for this one, and Nick Kyrgios got them off to a great start with a 6-4 7-6 victory over German Jan-Lennard Struff. Fan favourite Alex De Minaur fell behind early against the incredibly talented Alexander Zverev, but rallied to win 4-6 7-6 6-2 in a dream start to his summer. Zverev struggled with his serve, hitting an uncharacteristic 14 double faults. Doubles pairing Chris Guccione and John Peers then comfortably won the doubles 6-3 6-4 to make it a clean sweep for Australia.