Djokovic, Nadal secure easy wins

World No.1 Rafael Nadal was also in a punishing mood and kept his preparations for this month’s Australian Open on track by dismantling Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas 6-2, 6-1 in Perth.  His victory sealed the tie for Spain. Roberto Bautista Agut had given Spain the lead after an equally one-sided 6-1, 6-2 win against Franco Roncadelli in the $15 million ATP Cup.

Djokovic had a 15-0 head-to-head record against Monfils before Monday’s meeting. After surviving an initial onslaught from his opponent, he made sure the record remained blemish-free. The Serb saved nine break points on his own serve while converting all three he had against Monfils to square the tie. Serbia later clinched the tie with a triumph in the deciding doubles rubber.

Temperamental Benoit Paire had given France the advantage by overcoming Dusan Lajovic 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-4. “It was definitely one of the most humid conditions I have ever had in my career,” said Djokovic. “It was brutal. Obviously playing Monfils is never easy. You are coming into the court knowing you are going to have a lot of exchanges, a lot of rallies.” Fit-again South African Kevin Anderson won his first match since returning to competitive tennis with a 6-0, 6-3 success over Chile’s Cristian Garin. Anderson played only five tournaments last year due to injury before undergoing a knee surgery in September. The 33-year-old had lost to Djokovic in his return to action last Saturday, his first match since the third round of Wimbledon.

The former World No.5 did not face a single break point against Garin, sealing the tie for South Africa. World No.4 Dominic Thiem also bounced back from his season-opening loss against Borna Coric by defeating Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 7-6(3) to help set up a 3-0 win for Austria against Argentina.

Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, followed up Saturday’s win against Austrian Dennis Novak with a 7-6(8), 6-4 victory over 20-year-old Kacper Zuk of Poland. Cilic converted only one of 13 break point opportunities but his win in Sydney was enough to give Croatia its second victory at the event after it blanked Austria 3-0.

Japan also completed its second win as Yoshihito Nishioka and Go Soeda emerged victorious in their singles matches. Their wins sealed the tie for Japan against Georgia in Perth.