SYDNEY (AP) — Frances Tiafoe didn’t win an attack in the United Cup combined group tennis tournament.
The United States beat the Czech Republic when Tiafoe’s opponent, Tomas Machac, withdrew due to a right ankle injury at the time of his singles adjustment on Friday.
Tiafoe won the first set 6-3 at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena, but led 4-2 at the time through his Czech opponent late in the match due to Machac’s injury.
After trying to recover a forehand from Tiafoe, Machac was able to get up, but after consulting with a doctor and his team, he may simply not continue.
“We were in the middle of a battle,” Tiafoe said. It sucks that I crossed the line that way. You don’t need to see that. I hope he can qualify for the Australian Open. “
Next year’s first Grand Slam tournament begins in January in Melbourne.
The Americans entered the day of five matches winning 2-0 after Thursday’s singles victories through Taylor Fritz and Madison Keys.
But two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova racked up seven problems in the set to beat No. 3 World Cup Jessica Pegula 7-6 (6), 6-4 in Friday’s opener to keep the Czechs with a chance of victory.
“We keep fighting,” Kvitova said. I think America is such a wonderful team with wonderful players on the team. We’re not favourites here, but we fight in each and every game, in each and every point. It’s our team spirit. “
At 5-1 in the deciding game, Kvitova stored 3 set problems before winning her eighth set point at 7-6 and converting to seal the set. After escaping the first set, Kvitova broke Pegula twice to temporarily take a 3–0 lead.
The United States won the combined doubles with a final score of 4-1.
Greece lived up to their record by beating Bulgaria 3-0 in Perth, Western Australia. On Thursday, Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Grigor Dimitrov 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4) and Despina Papamichail came from a set and a break to beat Isabella Shinikova 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
On Friday, Maria Sakkari finished the Greek victory with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Viktoriya Tomova.
Matteo Berrettini made a good start to the season by winning Italy 3-2 against Brazil in Brisbane. The Italian player beat Brazilian No. 1 Thiago Monteiro 6-4, 7-6 (7) to give his country a 2-1 victory. leader and Lucia Bronzetti won Group E by beating Laura Pigossi 6-0, 6-2.
“Pretty satisfied, I have to say. It had been a long time since I played my last singles match, so I didn’t know what to expect. I think the point was high,” Berrettini said. I’m satisfied with my performance, but obviously when you play in those kinds of competitions, the most important thing is to win. “
Great Britain beat Australia when Heather Dart beat Maddison Inglis 6-4, 6-4 in the opening night singles match in Sydney to give her team a 3-0 lead. Switzerland won 3-0 after Stan Wawrinka beat Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan 6-3, 7-6 (3) in Brisbane and France won 3-0 against Argentina in Perth.
Two singles fites, one male and one female, were played for two days each, with a combined doubles fit to conclude the five-man fit at the time of day.
The first United Cup has organisations from 18 countries competing in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney until January 4. The 3 champions of the city and the next best performing country at the organization level will meet at Ken Rosewall Arena from January 6 to 8 until the overall winner. .
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