ATP Cup: Moldova no pushover against Belgium after embarrassing anthem mix-up

No one was taking Team Moldova seriously in the ATP Cup, and officials even played the wrong national anthem, but world No.818 Alexander Cozbinov nearly caused the first shock of the new year.

Alexander Cozbinov nearly caused a boilover against Steve Darcis. Picture: AAP

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There was a national anthem mix-up, a near upset and a David Goffin masterclass as Belgium won their first ATP Cup tie on Friday against Moldova at Ken Rosewall Arena.

Team Moldova — a late inclusion in the tournament — put up a gutsy fight, but just couldn’t match the experience of Goffin and Steve Darcis.

Darcis finished on top of a gruelling encounter with Moldovan Alexander Cozbinov 6-4, 6-7(4) 7-5 and Goffin breezed past Radu Albot 6-4 6-1.

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ANTHEM BUNGLE

Things got off to a bad start after tournament organisers blasted the Romanian national anthem for Team Moldova to sing.

World No.46 Albot and his teammates could be seen shaking their heads, laughing and talking to each other as their neighbouring country’s song rang out through Ken Rosewall Arena.

Almost two hours later, the ATP Cup apologised for the bungle on twitter: “At the start of the Moldova vs Belgium match we mistakenly played the wrong national anthem for Moldova. We are sincerely sorry and have apologised personally to #TeamMoldova.”

COZBINOV DIGS DEEP

Almost everyone had written off the world No.818.

Bookies were paying up to $11 for Cozbinov to beat Darcis.

Last year, American Reilly Opelka told reporters that Moldova and its inexperienced players wouldn’t stand a chance in the ATP Cup.

“I mean, their No.1 player (Albot) is ranked pretty far behind me, and their No.2 player (Cozbinov), I don’t think he’s ranked,” Opelka said.

“So that’s going to make for a 0-0 match that’s going to be 30 minutes maybe.”

But Cozbinov proved the tennis world wrong.

Alexander Cozbinov showed he was no easybeat against Belgium’s Steve Darcis in the ATP Cup. Picture: AAP

The 24-year-old Moldovan fought until the very end of a gritty 3hr 10min slog against Darcis.

In his first tour-level and televised match, Cozbinov won seven consecutive tie-break points to take out the second set and force a third.

Frustration grew for Darcis as he struggled to finish the big points – at one stage the veteran complained to the umpire about the positioning of a ball kid.

But in the end, Darcis’ experience paid off tor Team Belgium.

“It was a tough match. The first one of the competition is always difficult. I didn’t know too much what to expect, but Alex played a great match for the first time on a big stage,” Darcis said.

CLINICAL GOFFIN

David Goffin outclassed Albot in 1hr 22min to seal the deal for Belgium’s first ATP Cup tie win.

The world No.11 said he had to warm up three times during Darcis and Cozbinov’s battle but hit the court running.

“Form the first point I had good energy, good attitude, I served well when I needed to as well,” Goffin said.

It’s never easy to start the season, the first match, first team competition, new format. The way I played I’m very pleased.”

Goffin has now beaten Albot in all four of their meetings and acknowledged that their contests are usually closer.

“It was a different surface … I served better than other matches and was more ingresses, very good intensity energy and attitude and that’s made the difference” Goffin said.

David Goffin comfortably won his match against Radu Albot. Picture: Getty Images

Originally published as ATP Cup: Moldova no pushover against Belgium after embarrassing anthem mix-up