World number 11 David Goffin said he was "very motivated" after getting his season off to a winning start Friday at the ATP Cup in Sydney, which was marred by a national anthem gaffe by organisers.
Belgium's top player led his team to a win over Group C rivals Moldova at the inaugural 24-nation event that is also being played in Brisbane and Perth.
He cruised past an error-laden Radu Albot 6-4, 6-1, rarely threatened by the world number 46 who broke new ground in 2019 by becoming his country's first ATP Tour title winner at Delray Beach.
"I was very good intensity, good energy, good attitude. That made the difference," said Goffin, who made two ATP Tour finals last year at Halle and Cincinnati.
"I'm very motivated, happy to start the year with new ambitions, so maybe that's why today was a very good match."
"It's never easy to start the season with the first match, first team competition, the new format, with the team on the bench. And the way I played, I'm very pleased and so it's good for the next tie."
"Moldova and Romania have the same flag so probably that's why they made a mistake. Hopefully next time it's going to be the right one."
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