A relentless Russia crushed Italy 2-0 to win the ATP Cup on Sunday with Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev in red-hot form leading into the Australian Open.
Russia was the only nation in the 12-team event to boast two top-10 players and they had swept past Japan, Argentina and Germany en route to the decider.
Italy faced the same juggernaut on Rod Laver Arena, with Rublev destroying Fabio Fognini 6-1, 6-2 in just 61 minutes before Medvedev overpowered Matteo Berrettini 6-4, 6-2 in 79 minutes.
Medvedev is now on a career-long win streak of 14 matches, including his third ATP Masters title in Paris and victory at the season-ending ATP Tour Finals, with 10 of those victories over top-10 opponents.
Rublev has been equally impressive, winning five ATP titles in a breakthrough 2020, more than anyone else, as he raced up the rankings.
Mertens triumphs
Elsewhere, World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty tuned up for the Australian Open with a 7-6(3), 6-4 battling win over Garbine Muguruza to claim the Yarra Valley Classic for her ninth WTA singles title.
Elise Mertens of Belgium beat Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi 6-4, 6-1in the final of the Gippsland Trophy.
Evans’ wait ends
British veteran Dan Evans broke through to win his first ATP Tour title after 14 years of trying, while Italian teenager Jannik Sinner bagged the second of his short career.
The results: ATP Cup: Final: Russia bt Italy 2-0 [Andrey Rublev bt Fabio Fognini 6-1, 6-2; Daniil Medvedev bt Matteo Berrettini 6-4, 6-2.
Yarra Valley Classic: Final: Ashleigh Barty bt Garbine Muguruza 7-6(3), 6-4.
Gippsland Trophy: Final: Elise Mertens bt Kaia Kanepi 6-4, 6-1.
Grampians Trophy: Final: Shelved owing to lack of time; Semifinals: Anett Kontaveit bt Maria Sakkari 2-6, 6-3, [11-9]; Ann Li bt Jennifer Brady 7-6(5), 6-7(5), [10-6].
Murray River Open: Final: Dan Evans bt Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-2, 6-3.
Great Ocean Road Open: Final: Jannik Sinner bt Stefano Travaglia 7-6(4), 6-4.
