John Peers and Luke Saville led Australia to a surprise victory over Italy with a 6-3 7-5 doubles victory over Matteo Berrettini and Simone Bolelli on Sunday night.

“I thought we were at a good level tonight,” Savile said of the host nation’s Group B opening match.

“I loved being a part of this group and this team this week.

Earlier, Alex de Minaur hit back for Australia by beating Berrettini 6-3 7-6 (7-4) to set up a decisive doubles winner.

I love to go around a fantastic Australian doubles victory for Peers and Saville.

Australians take 2-1 victory over Italy 👏 #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/e8B1wraoco

– Lachlan McKirdy (@ LMcKirdy7) January 2, 2022

The 22-year-old Australian tied the biggest win of his career, beating the world No.7 in just under 90 minutes.

De Minaur, who is ranked 34th in the world, appeared to be heading for a simple victory when he took the 5-3 advantage in the second set, before Berrettini threw a wrench into the works and forced a break-in. ‘equality.

The Australian collected four match points and managed the third to seal the victory.

Slayer of giants ⚔️@alexdeminaur upsets Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 7-6 (4) to keep #TeamAustralia alive in their Group B game against #TeamItaly.#ATPCup pic.twitter.com/by09MuvWt1

– ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 2, 2022

“This is what you work hard for, playing on your pitch in front of your friends and family playing for Australia,” said a moved de Minaur.

“There is no greater honor and it brings out the best in me.

“It’s not about how many times you are knocked down, but how many times you are knocked down and you get up.

“That’s what I want to keep doing. I haven’t had the best year (in 2021), I’ve had a few setbacks, bad luck and COVID, but I’m back and ready to have a big year. “

70% of the world is covered with water

The rest is covered by @alexdeminaur ??#ATPCup pic.twitter.com/x2vIxjQBRV

– ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 2, 2022

De Minaur’s straight-set victory tied the game at 1-1, after Italy’s world No.10 Jannik Sinner sidelined Australia’s Max Purcell in a 6-1 6-3 victory.

Purcell was called up late after James Duckworth withdrew from his game against Sinner due to hip pain.

The 23-year-old, ranked 176th, appeared to be a beef lamb in the first set against Sinner.

The Australian rallied in the second set with aggressive net play, but Sinner, 20, managed to resist the retaliation.

Underdogs ahead of the tournament, Australia face defending champions Russia on Tuesday with renewed hope of advancing to the quarter-finals.

De Minaur will face world number 2 Daniil Medvedev, who, despite a shock loss to France’s Ugo Humbert in singles, teamed up with Roman Safiullin in doubles to secure a 2-1 victory for the Russians earlier on Monday.

It is not yet known whether Duckworth will be ready to return for the clash with Russia on Tuesday or Thursday’s game with France.

-AAP