The last United Cup semi-final slot is being filled by Germany thanks to Alexander Zverev who won his singles rubber against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas and then partnered Laura Siegemund in the mixed doubles to clinch the tie 2-1.
I was taking a back seat with Laura. I think we deserve to be in the semi-finals Alexander Zverev
World No. 8 Maria Sakkari had given Greece, last year’s semi-finalists, the lead with a comfortable 6-0 6-3 win over three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber, before Zverev defeated Tsitsipas 6-4 6-4.
With the tie level at 1-1, Zverev returned to the court to play the mixed doubles decider, where the Greek pair of Petros Tsitsipas, Stefanos’ younger brother, and Sakkari were beaten 6-3 6-3.
“I was taking a back seat with Laura. I think we deserve to be in the semi-finals,” Zverev said following their victory.
As the score would suggest, Zverev was aggressive in the singles and despite Tsitsipas hitting 16 winners, the Greek’s 24 unforced errors contributed greatly to Zverev’s victory.
He said: “I had to come out aggressive because I knew Stef is one of the best aggressive players, if not the best aggressive player, in the game. If he is on the front foot, it’s extremely difficult to play against him.”
Zverev, a second-round casualty at last year’s Australian Open during his comeback from a serious ankle injury, is hoping to make amends this year at the season’s opening grand slam which starts Sunday week.
“Being healthy is the biggest thing for any athlete, the mindset this year is different,” Zverev said.
“I hope that I can stay in Australia a bit longer maybe a bit more successful, I’ve already won more matches this year than I did last year, so I’m happy.”
Earlier, Sakkari comfortably beat Kerber, who is playing her first tournament in 18 months after a maternity break.
Sakkari got off to a flying start, speeding through the first nine games of the match to take the first set and rack up a 3-0 lead in the second, before Kerber was finally able to hold serve.
The hold appeared to spark Kerber into action as she broke to bring the second set back on serve at 3-2, but her brief resurgence was quickly squashed by Sakkari, who claimed her third straight singles win of the tournament.
“I was pretty clinical in the first set and through 3-0 in the second, I was very solid from the baseline doing what I had to do,” Sakkari said.
“I knew Angie was going to find a way to come back and that she wasn’t going to give up. After the first set, I said there was no way the match will go super easy.”
Germany now take on the hosts, Australia in a semi-final which will be played on Saturday. The other semi sees Poland facing France and both matches will be played in Sydney.
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