NEW DELHI: Germany made a robust begin on Sunday in defending their United Cup title, with world quantity two Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund securing victory over Brazil, eliminating the South People from the mixed-team event.
Zverev sealed the win with a commanding 6-4, 6-Four efficiency in opposition to Thiago Monteiro, following Siegemund’s gritty 6-3, 1-6, 6-Four conquer Beatriz Haddad Maia, who’s ranked 17th, 63 locations above her.
The lead to Perth knocked Brazil out of group play after an earlier defeat to China.
Germany now faces China on Monday, with the winner advancing to the quarter-finals.
In Sydney, ladies’s world quantity 4 Jasmine Paolini cruised previous Belinda Bencic 6-1, 6-1 in simply 57 minutes, guaranteeing Italy’s victory over Switzerland.
In the meantime, males’s world quantity six Casper Ruud endured a tricky battle in opposition to Tomas Machac however couldn’t forestall Norway’s loss to the Czech Republic.
Zverev set the tone in opposition to Monteiro by breaking serve within the opening sport of every set, wrapping up the 80-minute contest with out dealing with vital stress. It marked an uncommon place for Germany, who usually relied on deciding combined doubles matches in final 12 months’s event.
“That is the primary time we have ever been up 2-0,” Zverev mentioned. “Final 12 months, I performed deciding (combined doubles) matches each time.
“It is good to have this (tie) within the bag. I am very comfortable to be taking part in for Germany once more.”
Siegemund battled for over two and a half hours to outlast Haddad Maia.
After a dominant first set, the German faltered within the second however regained composure in a tense last set, successful after three consecutive service breaks and sealing the match on her first match level.
Powerful Begin for Ruud
Paolini’s sturdy kind carried over from her stellar 2024 season, which included runner-up finishes at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. She overpowered Bencic, who’s making a comeback after maternity depart.
“I performed a extremely good match. At the moment every thing labored very well,” mentioned Paolini.
“I used to be serving and returning nicely, and I feel that was the important thing.”
Earlier, Flavio Cobolli defeated Dominic Stricker 6-3, 7-6 (6/2), giving Italy an preliminary lead.
In the meantime, Ruud, the highest-ranked Norwegian in historical past, confronted a grueling match in opposition to Machac. After almost three hours, Ruud emerged victorious 7-6 (7/6), 5-7, 6-4, leveling the tie 1-1 after Karolina Muchova’s dominant 6-2, 6-2 win over Malene Helgo.
Nonetheless, Ruud opted out of the deciding combined doubles because of left quad discomfort. Machac and Muchova capitalized, defeating Viktor Durasovic and Ulrikke Eikeri 6-4, 6-Four to safe the Czech Republic’s win.
“You form of hope that it will not be that powerful, however what a solution to begin the brand new season,” mentioned Ruud, who banked 2024 event wins at Geneva and Barcelona.
“If each match goes to be this powerful, it may be a tricky (season).”
Ruud’s concern might develop as he confronted 9 break factors through the match, regardless of his early management within the third set.
