TABLE LEADERS: Spain bagged top spot courtesy Nadal’s 6-4 6-3 win over Croatia's Gojo after Agut had beaten Mektic 6-1 6-3. PHOTO: REUTERS
World number one Rafa Nadal sealed top spot in Group B for Spain as he crushed Croatia's Borna Gojo 6-4 6-3 to give his side an unassailable 2-0 lead after Roberto Bautista Agut had beaten Nikola Mektic 6-1 6-3.
It ended a woeful few days for reigning champions Croatia, who sacked captain Zeljko Krajan days before the finals and were without injured talisman Marin Cilic. They left with two losses.
Australia set up a quarter-final against Canada on Thursday with victory over Belgium but retired from the dead doubles rubber after playing one game in another blow for the revamped tournament's credibility.
With the rubber having commenced after midnight, Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt said it was an "easy decision" to retire and that doubles player John Peers needed to rest a sore elbow. But it was a bad look for organisers a day after the Canadians forfeited their doubles rubber against the United States, drawing criticism from rival teams.
After Tuesday's action wrapped up at almost 2am, Wednesday's final match between the United States and Italy limped to a finish just after 4am on Thursday morning. Sam Querrey and Jack Sock overhauled Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini 6-7(4) 7-6(2) 6-4 to seal a 2-1 win and second place in Group F for the United States. But in the end it was all purely for pride, with both teams knocked out.
Nick Kyrgios earlier gave Australia a flying start, blasting 22 aces in beating Steve Darcis 6-2 7-6(9), before Alex de Minaur defeated David Goffin 6-0 7-6(4) to eliminate Belgium.
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