Frances Tiafoe of the U.S., Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula have fun subsequent to the trophy after profitable the United Cup.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
The United States claimed the inaugural United Cup on Sunday in convincing trend with an overwhelming show over Italy within the last of the combined groups occasion.
No. 9-ranked Taylor Fritz gave the U.S. an unassailable 3-0 lead within the best-of-five matchup when edging former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7).
The Indian Wells Masters champion did not convert 9 break factors however confronted none on his personal serve and proved the steadier participant within the two tiebreakers.
He was mobbed by his teammates at Ken Rosewall Arena after clinching the title for the Americans.
“We came in with really high hopes before the start of the event and I was really happy to be in the position to clinch the match and just the emotions when you win and everyone comes running at you, it is amazing,” Fritz stated.
“We have gotten a lot of team bonding this week and it was a lot of fun.”
Jessica Pegula put the U.S. on the trail to victory by beating Martina Trevisan 6-4, 6-2, persevering with her robust type, which included a win over top-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 U.S. dominance within the last when defeating Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 7-2 in what was rendered a lifeless rubber when it comes to the title.
The U.S. have been thought-about favorites for the 18-nation match primarily based on the power of a group the place all 4 singles gamers have been ranked contained in the world’s high 20.
Heading into the ultimate, the U.S. had misplaced simply two of the 20 rubbers they performed in ties in opposition to the Czech Republic, Germany, Great Britain and Poland.
Dual-Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova defeated Pegula within the opening tie of the occasion, whereas 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist Cameron Norrie beat Fritz in three units on Jan. 4.
Similarly to Fritz’s 7-6, 7-6 victory over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz on Saturday, the conflict between Fritz and Berrettini was dominated by serving.
But Berrettini, who fell in three units to Stefanos Tsitsipas in a semifinal in opposition to Greece on Saturday, misplaced his composure early within the first tiebreaker and late within the second to present Fritz the victory.
“I had a lot of chances in there and he kept playing so well on those chances, so he made it really tough for me,” Fritz stated.
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 on the best way to a stable victory.
No. 3-ranked Pegula stated that as her group’s top-ranked participant of both intercourse, she needed to steer by instance.
“I wanted to win because I am the No. 1 American on the team. I wanted to embrace that. I did not want to shy away from that,” she stated.
Tiafoe, ranked No. 19, 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 earlier acquired medical remedy after dropping serve to path 2-5 within the opening set.
U.S. coach David Witt, who can be Pegula’s particular person coach, praised his gamers for his or her teamwork.
“It has been an honor to be a coach of them and enjoy the time we have had together. It has been awesome,” he stated.
