This archive report was first published on 8 January 2020.
Spain's Rafael Nadal has steered his team into the ATP Cup quarter-finals, despite a less-than-stellar performance, with Argentina also securing a spot in the knockout phase.
The inaugural team event, which kicked off six days ago in Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth, has narrowed down to eight teams from the initial 24.
Spain, who won the revamped Davis Cup in Madrid in November, and Argentina rounded out the six group winners, joining Australia, Serbia, Russia, and Britain in the quarter-finals.
Belgium and Canada secured the two best-placed runner-up spots, setting up an exciting quarter-final stage.
The quarter-finals will take place in Sydney, with Australia facing Britain in the first encounter on Thursday, followed by Argentina against Russia.
Novak Djokovic's Serbia will take on Canada on Friday, while Spain will face Belgium in the final match.
Nadal saw off Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, but made 36 unforced errors in the process.
"It was important to win the first set, and then in the second I had some tough moments but at the same time I was able to manage well to have a break at the right moment, so happy for the victory," Nadal said.
He came on court after teammate Roberto Bautista Agut downed Go Soeda 6-2, 6-4 to secure the tie.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic continued his unbeaten record at the tournament, easing past Chile's Cristian Garin 6-3, 6-3 as Serbia won their tie 2-1.
"I really am really happy with the challenges that I've had in the last six, seven days here, and hopefully that can allow me to build my form for Sydney and Melbourne later," Djokovic said.
Some $15 million in prize money and up to 750 singles and 250 doubles ATP rankings points are at stake in the tournament.
