ATP Cup Players to Watch: Group C

Usually in pro tennis’ team competitions, there is a section of the draw where there’s no clear-cut favorite, and the second edition of the ATP Cup is no exception. Here, it’s Group C, where several members of the Top 10 in singles and doubles will battle it out. This is a look at the players who could make the biggest impact for their team. (All photos: Getty Images)

FRANCE: Gael Monfils

If 2020 hadn’t been, for lack of a better term, 2020, could Gael Monfils have finally broken through and reached his first Grand Slam final? After all, the super-talented Frenchman entered the year stating his intentions to see his results match his ability—and with two titles in a row after the Australian Open, it appeared he was on his way to making that happen. In the midst of a career-best run, the world went on pause, and when play resumed, Monfils only played three more matches on the year.

Now, he’ll be out to recapture his winning ways at the ATP Cup, where he split two matches in 2020. He’ll be backed up in singles by Benoit Paire, and in doubles by Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin, with all three of them capable of winning from their spots on the team. Monfils is in a tricky position, having to face two members of the Top 10 in group play, but should he win, France could find itself in a strong position in this section of the draw and going forward.

AUSTRIA: Dennis Novak

Coming off a year that saw him reach the Australian Open final and win his first major at the US Open, it’s expected that world No. 3 Dominic Thiem should thrive at the ATP Cup. Being that this is a team event, though, it can’t all be up to one man, and that’s where Novak comes in.

The 27-year-old has held down the No. 2 spot in Austria for much of the past few years now, and reached a career-high ranking of 85 last March. He’s been pushing to make a true breakthrough, but hasn’t gotten over the hump quite yet. Thiem should be favored in his matches, but Tristan Samuel Weissborn, who’s won multiple titles at the Futures and Challenger levels, and the veteran Philipp Oswald could be vulnerable in doubles. This could be Novak’s time to shine, possibly spurring him toward better results in the months ahead.

ITALY: Matteo Berrettini

One of the biggest breakthrough performers in 2019, the Italian came back down to earth last year, posting only a 9-6 record in the pandemic-shortened season. Despite never making it at least as far as the semifinals in a tournament, he still managed to finish the year in the Top 10 and as Italy’s No. 1 player, which means he’ll face some heavy competition in Group C.

Two of Berrettini’s teammates, Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli, are tour veterans and have been through all types of pressure-packed moments when it comes to team competition, while the other member of the squad, Andrea Vavassori, is relatively untested. Berrettini won’t have to shoulder the weight of the team despite his lofty position in the rankings, but could use a good showing to boost his confidence.