ATP Cup Preview: Who Can Stop Djokovic & Serbia In Group A?

Defending champion Serbia headlines Group A 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 team from each group advancing to the knock-out semi-finals.

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

Group A: Serbia, Germany, Canada
Top-seeded Serbia will attempt to retain the ATP Cup trophy next week and will first look to overcome Germany and Canada. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic was a perfect 8-0 in last year’s inaugural edition (singles and doubles), including three Top 10 singles victories over Gael Monfils of France (round robin), Russia’s Daniil Medvedev (semi-finals) and his great rival, Spain’s Rafael Nadal, in a high-quality final clash. Djokovic has a 4-2 ATP Head2Head series lead over Germany’s Alexander Zverev, including victories in their past two matches, and is 5-0 against Canadian No. 1 Denis Shapovalov. Djokovic beat Shapovalov 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4) in a thrilling quarter-final at the 2020 ATP Cup. 

Zverev, the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals champion, will be attempting to record his first match win at the ATP Cup and spearhead Germany’s challenge. Last year, the 23-year-old went 0-3 in round-robin play, but will have a chance to avenge his 6-2, 6-2 loss to Shapovalov on Day 2. Zverev owns three wins from five matches against Shapovalov. Germany also boasts two-time Roland Garros champions Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies (1-2 at the 2020 ATP Cup), whose performances could prove critical in the event of deciding doubles matches.

Shapovalov produced some inspirational performances at the 2020 ATP Cup, helping Canada out of the group stage. In addition to his victory over Zverev, the 21-year-old beat Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 7-6(6), 7-6(4). He’ll get another shot at Djokovic on Day 1 on Rod Laver Arena, and with the support of former World No. 3 Milos Raonic, who will be making his ATP Cup debut, Canada is looking to be a serious threat. 

Meet The Group A Players

Three Group A Matches To Watch

Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Alexander Zverev (GER)
Fans globally will have to wait until Day 3 of the 2021 ATP Cup for the seventh edition of Djokovic versus Zverev. While Djokovic enters with a perfect 8-0 tournament record in singles and doubles, the Serbian will remember Zverev’s victories on the biggest stages. Zverev beat Djokovic in the 2017 Internazionali BNL d'Italia final in Rome and bounced back from a round-robin loss at the 2018 Nitto ATP Finals, as he landed 10 aces and broke the Serbian's serve four times to beat Djokovic in London for the biggest title of his career. 

Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Denis Shapovalov (CAN)
In one of the most thrilling matches of last year’s ATP Cup, Shapovalov forced Djokovic to draw upon all of his experience over two hours and 40 minutes. Shapovalov broke Djokovic as he served for the match at 5-4 in the deciding set and erased a break point at 5-5. But in the tie-break, Shapovalov couldn't hold back the then-World No. 2 any longer. "It was an amazing match. One of the closest matches I've played against Denis. It was a very even match. He played fantastic, very aggressive, served great. We fought both until the last shot," said Djokovic. Despite the loss, it proved to be a springboard for Shapovalov’s successful 2020 season. A repeat performance on Day 1 of the 2021 ATP Cup would be most welcome.

Alexander Zverev (GER) vs Denis Shapovalov (CAN)
Two of the ATP Tour’s brightest stars will square off for the sixth time on Day 2. Memories remain strong of Shapovalov losing just three of his first-serve points in a 70-minute victory over Zverev at the 2020 ATP Cup. Zverev won the pair’s first three ATP Head2Head meetings, including a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Shapovalov in the 2017 Montreal semi-finals, and next week the German will be looking to snap a two-match losing streak against the Canadian.

Watch 2020 Quarter-final Highlights: Djokovic Edges Shapovalov

Where To Watch ATP Cup
TV Schedule

Group A Schedule 
View full group stage schedule

Tuesday, 2 February: Serbia vs Canada
Rod Laver Arena - starts 10am
Dusan Lajovic vs Milos Raonic
Followed by
Novak Djokovic vs Denis Shapovalov
Followed by doubles match – Players TBC

Wednesday, 3 February: Germany vs Canada
Rod Laver Arena - starts 10am
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Milos Raonic
Followed by
Alexander Zverev vs Denis Shapovalov
Followed by doubles match – Players TBC

Thursday, 4 February: Serbia vs Germany
Rod Laver Arena - starts 10am
Dusan Lajovic vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Followed by
Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev
Followed by doubles match – Players TBC

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