By: Aaron Xiong

ATP Cup action this Saturday saw Russia and Italy battle for the ATP Cup championship. With stellar play throughout the week from the Russians and Italians, this final round looked to be enticing. However, the red hot Russians could not be stopped as they dominated against the Italians to win the title.

The first match of the championship saw 23 year old Russian sensation Andrey Rublev taking on Fabio Fognini. In what can only be described as a lopsided victory for the young Russian, Rublev continued his undefeated streak of 4-0 at the ATP Cup with a 6-1, 6-2 win over the Italian. Fognini seemingly had no answer for the fearsome forehand and serve of the young Russian. Rublev finished with a total of 9 aces and won 56 of the 81 total points played.

With Rublev claiming the first win of 3 championship matches, all the Russians needed was another win to clinch the ATP Cup title. The next match saw world number 4 Daniil Medvedev taking on the hard hitting Matteo Berrettini. The world number 4 was looking to take his country to the promise land and succeeded.

Medvedev proved to be too much of a battle for the Italian as he won the match 6-4, 6-2. Both players hit 4 aces but it was Medvedev who who proved to be the better returner and broke the Berrettini serve three times to give him the edge.

Although the doubles match will continue to be held, the Russians take the title after winning both singles matches. Both Medvedev and Rublev ended their ATP title run undefeated in singles matches with Rublev only losing in a tight match in doubles.

With the ATP Cup wrapping up, attention turns to the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open. The Australian Open begins tomorrow with Round 1 action beginning at 6:00pm CST.