Italy have drawn first blood in the ATP Cup, knocking over Dominic Thiem’s Austria on day one of competition at Melbourne Park.

Reigning US Open champion Thiem was disappointing in his singles match-up against Matteo Berrettini, bombing 6-2 6-4.

Berrettini, the world No.10, was thrilled to keep his team in the hunt with a win over the 2020 Australian Open finalist and world No.3.

“I’m really happy for my performance,” Berrettini said.

“Playing for your country is something special.”

Earlier Dennis Novak, ranked 100, had got the Austrians off to a bright start with a 6-3 6-2 upset victory over world No.17 Fabio Fognini.

The Italians had the last laugh with Fognini and Berrettini teaming up in the doubles to take down Thiem and Novak with relative ease 6-1 6-4.