Dan Evans beat Alex de Minaur on his fifth match point in a 3-hour, 23-minute singles encounter to send the ATP Cup quarterfinal between Britain and Australia to a deciding doubles.
For de Minaur, that meant going almost straight back on court for Australia. Lleyton Hewitt, the Australian captain, made a late decision to use both his top singles players for the crucial doubles match against Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury, with de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios replacing Chris Guccione and John Peers.
Australia didn't lose a match in the group stage as it finished with three 3-0 sweeps in Group F in Brisbane, securing its spot in the playoffs in of the new 24-team tournament with a match to spare. Britain finished atop Group C with a 2-1 record in Sydney.
Team Australia cheer Alex De Minaur of Australia playing against Daniel Evans of Britain during their ATP Cup tennis match in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020. (AP PhotoSteve Christo)
Nick Kyrgios gave Australia the lead with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Cam Norrie in the opening singles, but Evans upset No. 18-ranked de Minaur 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (2) to level the match.
There were two exchanges of serve in the third set and Evans had four match points in the 12th game, when de Minaur saved two from 15-40 and another two after the game went to deuce.
The tiebreaker was one-sided, with Evans winning five straight points from 2-2 to ensure Britain and Australia were tied after the singles.
Alex De Minaur of Australia plays a shot against Daniel Evans of Britain during their ATP Cup tennis match in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020. (AP PhotoSteve Christo)
The winner will play either Spain or Belgium in the semifinals on Saturday.
Russia was playing Argentina later Thursday in the second of the quarterfinals.
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Nick Kyrgios of Australia looks towards his teammates during his ATP Cup tennis match against Cameron Norrie of Britain in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020. (AP PhotoSteve Christo)
TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes hit a tiebreaking free throw with 0.8 seconds remaining in overtime and the Toronto Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 116-115 on Sunday night in the first of back-to-back meetings between short-handed teams.
Barnes made the first of two from the line and intentionally missed the second as Toronto won its third straight home meeting with the 76ers. He finished 10 for 12 at the line.
Barnes scored 31 points, Jamal Shead added a career-high 22 and Immanuel Quickley had 20 as Toronto won its third straight at home. Collin Murray-Boyles had 17 points and matched his career-high with 15 rebounds.
Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points for the 76ers and VJ Edgecombe had 17. Kelly Oubre Jr., Domnick Barlow and Quentin Grimes each scored 13 points but Philadelphia lost for the second time in seven games.
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (left knee and left groin) and Paul George (left knee) both sat out on the first night of this back-to-back.
Barnes returned after sitting out Friday’s loss at Boston because of a sore right knee but RJ Barrett was inactive because of a sprained left ankle. Brandon Ingram (right thumb) missed his second straight game and Jakob Poeltl (lower back) missed his 10th straight. There is no timetable for Poeltl’s return.
Ja’Kobe Walter started for the Raptors but exited four minutes into the first quarter because of a sore right hip.
Philadelphia had 22 turnovers, one shy of matching a season-high. The 76ers' 11 assists were a season-low.
Toronto finished 5 for 32 (.156) from 3-point range, its worst shooting percentage from distance this season.
The 76ers and Raptors play in Toronto again on Monday night.
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Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, bottom right, rolls on the court as play continues behind him during first-half NBA basketball game action against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) looks to shoot as Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) watches during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) is fouled on his way to the hoop by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) as 76ers' Adem Bona, top, looks on during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) drives to the net as Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Trendon Watford (12) and Adem Bona (30) defend during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) is fouled on his way to the hoop by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) as 76ers' Adem Bona (30) looks on during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
