Britain in good shape to advance to ATP Cup quarterfinals

Even without Andy Murray, Britain looks likely to advance to the ATP Cup quarterfinals.

Britain No. 1 Dan Evans outclassed Radu Albot 6-2, 6-2 to clinch the fifth-day match after Cameron Norrie beat Alexander Cozbinov by the same score on Tuesday.

A 6-2, 6-3 doubles victory for Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury over Albot and Cozbinov completed the 3-0 win, leaving the British in a good position to qualify for the for the quarterfinals that begin Thursday at Sydney Olympic Park.

Norway's Viktor Durasovic plays against Russia's Karen Khachanov during their match at the ATP Cup in Perth, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)

Murray announced late last month that he would not play at the inaugural ATP Cup or the Australian Open due to his continuing recovery from hip surgery.

Britain could top Group C and face Australia in Thursday's first quarterfinal. But the British, captained by Tim Henman, are more likely to advance to the knockout stages as one of the two best pool runners-up at the season-opening 24-team event.

Unbeaten in their first two matches, Bulgaria remains favorite to top Group C and can secure a quarterfinal spot with a win over Belgium on Tuesday night in the second match in Sydney.

Norway's Viktor Durasovic returns a shot against Russia's Karen Khachanov during their match at the ATP Cup in Perth, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)

Undefeated Australia will complete Group F play on Tuesday night against Greece in Brisbane. Australia has qualified for the quarterfinals and has said said it would sit out Alex de Minaur against Greece. De Minaur has won both of his singles matches at the tournament.

John Millman will come into the team for the second time, with Nick Kyrgios returning from a back injury to take on Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas.

In the opening match Tuesday in Brisbane, Canada beat Germany 2-1 and will likely advance to the quarterfinals as one of the two best second-place finishers in group play.

Norway's Casper Ruud plays against Russia's Daniil Medvedev during their match at the ATP Cup in Perth, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)

Canadian Denis Shapovalov handed No. 7-ranked Alexander Zverev his third singles loss of the tournament with a 6-2, 6-2 win over the German player at Pat Rafter Arena. Zrevev had seven double-faults in Tuesday's match.

Jan-Lennard Struff beat Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-1, 6-4 to give Germany the early lead. Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov clinched it for Canada with a 6-3, 7-6 (4) win over Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies.

At Perth, Russia clinched its match with Norway with wins in both singles and tops Group D. Karen Khachanov beat Norway's Victor Durasovic 6-2, 6-1 in the opening singles match and Daniil Medvedev beat Casper Ruud 6-3, 7-6 (6) on his second match point with an ace.

Russia's Daniil Medvedev plays against Norway's Casper Ruud during their match at the ATP Cup in Perth, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)

Italy played the United States in the night match at Perth.

The six group winners and two best second-place finishers advance to the Final Eight in Sydney. Two quarterfinals are set for Thursday and two more on Friday. The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday and the final on Sunday at Ken Rosewall Arena.

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Denis Shapovalov of Canada reacts after winning his match against Alexander Zverev of Germany at the ATP Cup tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoTertius Pickard)

Norway's Casper Ruud plays against Russia's Daniil Medvedev during their match at the ATP Cup in Perth, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)

Russia's Daniil Medvedev serves to Norway's Casper Ruud during their match at the ATP Cup in Perth, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)

Alexander Zverev of Germany plays a shot during his tennis match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada at the ATP Cup tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoTertius Pickard)

Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany plays a shot during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Cup tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoTertius Pickard)

Veteran Australia batter Usman Khawaja has announced he will retire from international cricket after the fifth Ashes test beginning Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

He didn't go quietly.

The Pakistan-born Khawaja, who was the first Muslim to play for Australia, used his retirement announcement Friday to criticize the “racial" stereotyping he experienced during his career.

It will be the 39-year-old Khawaja's 88th and final test — played at the ground where he began his first-class career. Khawaja scored his first Ashes century at the SCG with 171 against England in 2018.

It was also at that the SCG where he revived his career at age 35, scoring two centuries against England. That prompted one of the great late-career revivals, as Khawaja hit seven centuries in his next two years back in the side.

But Khawaja’s position had come under scrutiny and criticism this season after being unable to open in the first Ashes test in Perth due to back spasms and then missing the Brisbane test with the injury.

He was then initially left out in Adelaide until Steve Smith’s vertigo allowed Khawaja to return, before an 82 in the first innings there ensured he would stay in the side for the fourth test in Melbourne. Australia, with a 3-1 lead going into the fifth test, has retained the Ashes.

Khawaja said he felt he was treated “a little bit different, even to now,” because of his Pakistan and Muslim background.

"Different in the way I’ve been treated, different in how things have happened,” he said at a media conference in Sydney. “I had back spasms, it was something I couldn’t control. The way the media and the past players came out and attacked me . . . I copped it for about five days straight. Everyone was piling in.

“Once the racial stereotypes came in, of me being lazy, it was things I’ve dealt with my whole life. Pakistani, West Indian, colored players...we’re selfish, we only care about ourselves, we don’t care about the team, we don’t train hard enough."

Khawaja said he knew the end of his career was imminent.

“I guess moving into this series, I had an inkling this would be the last series," he said. "I’m glad I can go out on my own terms.”

Khawaja has scored 6,206 runs at an average of 43.49 in his 87 tests with 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries.

“Usman has made a huge contribution to Australian cricket both through his outstanding achievements as one of our most stylish and resilient batters . . . and off field, particularly through the Usman Khawaja Foundation,” Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said in a statement.

“Usman has been one of Australia’s most reliable opening batters and testament to his success was him being named ICC test cricketer of the year the same season that Australia won the World Test Championship (in 2023).”

Khawaja said his No. 1 emotion on announcing his retirement was “contentment.”

“I’m very lucky to have played so many games for Australia the way I have,” Khawaja said. "I hope I have inspired people along the way.”

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Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja with his wife Rachel and daughters Aisha and Ayla after announcing that he will retire from international cricket following the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia Usman Khawaja, centre, sits with teammates after announcing he will retire from international cricket following the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia Usman Khawaja warms up during a practice session ahead of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Travis Head, right, is congratulated by teammate Usman Khawaja after reaching 50 runs during play on day three of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

Australia's Usman Khawaja sign autograph to fans after they won the third Ashes cricket test match against England in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 (AP Photo/James Elsby)