SYDNEY (AP) — America received the inaugural United Cup convincingly on Sunday with an amazing show over Italy within the last of the mixed-team occasion.
Ranked No. 9 Taylor Fritz gave the USA an undisputed Three-Zero lead within the best-of-five matchup when he defeated former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (Four), 7-6 ( 7).
The Indian Wells Masters champion did not convert 9 break factors, however didn’t face any on his personal serve and proved the extra secure participant within the two tie-breaks.
He was harassed by his teammates at Ken Rosewall Area after clinching the title for the People.
“We got here in with excessive hopes earlier than the beginning of the occasion and I used to be very completely happy to be within the place to safe the match and the feelings while you win and everyone seems to be working in the direction of you, it is unbelievable,” mentioned Fritz.
“We have had a variety of group bonding this week and it was a variety of enjoyable.”
Jessica Pegula put the USA on the trail to victory by beating Martina Trevisan 6-Four, 6-2, persevering with her sturdy kind, which included a win over No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek on Friday.
Frances Tiafoe, a 2022 US Open semifinalist, prolonged the lead when Lorenzo Musetti withdrew with a shoulder harm after dropping the primary set of their match 6-2.
Madison Keys continued the USA’s dominance within the last by defeating Lucia Bronzetti 6-Three, 7-2 in what grew to become a stalemate when it comes to the title.
The USA had been thought of favorites for the 18-nation match as a result of power of a group by which all 4 particular person gamers had been ranked within the prime 20 on the earth.
Heading into the ultimate, the USA had misplaced simply two of the 20 video games they performed within the qualifiers in opposition to the Czech Republic, Germany, Nice Britain and Poland.
Wimbledon twin champion Petra Kvitova defeated Pegula within the occasion’s opening draw, whereas 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist Cameron Norrie defeated Fritz in three units on January Four.
Just like Fritz’s 7-6, 7-6 victory over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz on Saturday, the conflict between Fritz and Berrettini was dominated by serves.
However Berrettini, who misplaced in three units to Stefanos Tsitsipas in a semifinal in opposition to Greece on Saturday, misplaced his composure early within the first tiebreak and late within the second to present Fritz victory.
“I had a variety of possibilities there and he saved taking part in very properly on these possibilities, so he made it very troublesome for me,” Fritz mentioned.
Pegula claimed the primary three video games in opposition to Trevisan after which withstood a problem from the No. 27-ranked participant late within the first set en path to a strong win.
Pegula, ranked quantity Three, mentioned that because the top-ranked participant of both intercourse on her group, she wished to steer by instance.
“I wished to win as a result of I’m the primary American on the group. I wished to embrace that. I did not need to stroll away from it,” she mentioned.
Tiafoe, ranked 19th, was in a dominant place in opposition to Musetti when the Italian ended the match on the opening level of the second set.
The 20-year-old had obtained medical remedy earlier after dropping serve to path 2-5 within the first set.
USA coach David Witt, who can be the person coach of Pegula, praised his gamers for his or her teamwork.
“It has been an honor to teach them and benefit from the time now we have spent collectively. It has been superb,” she mentioned.
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