Kvitova beats Pegula but US win United Cup tie

| | Sydney
  • 0

Kvitova beats Pegula but US win United Cup tie

Saturday, 31 December 2022 | AP | Sydney

Petra Kvitova upset world number three Jessica Pegula on Friday at the United Cup, but fellow top 10 players Maria Sakkari and Caroline Garcia both earned victories.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova clinched a thriller, saving seven set points in the first set before winning 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 at the Ken Rosewall Arena.

It was not enough to save the tie for the Czechs, though, as the United States took it 4-1.

In Perth, the sixth-ranked Sakkari and WTA number four Garcia from France both came through with victories.

Sakkari gave Greece an unassailable 3-0 lead over Bulgaria when she beat Viktoriya Tomova 6-3, 6-2.

"I was a little nervous in the beginning, especially being 2-0 up in the tie, I knew my match was crucial in winning the tie," said Sakkari.

"She was very solid, but I found my game and got better."

Her teammates Stefanos Tsitsipas and Despina Papamichail won their matches on Thursday.

Garcia, winner of last month's year-end final in Texas, hammered Argentine Nadia Podoroska 6-2, 6-0, finishing with a leaping overhead smash after 64 minutes to give France a 3-0 success after two opening-day wins.

"Our team members all have the same goal," Garcia, who ranked 74th a year ago due to injury, said.

"Let's see where it brings us. We want to get some more points, we want to go for it."

After the Americans won the opening two rubbers on Thursday, Kvitova's victory gave her country hope in the inaugural tournament, which features two men's and two women's singles matches along with a mixed doubles.

But the US clinched the tie when Tomas Machac injured his ankle against 19th-ranked Francis Tiafoe and was forced to retire hurt while down 6-3, 2-4.

The Czech Republic will face Alexander Zverev's Germany on Saturday while the US have two days off before they close out group play against the Germans.

Switzerland completed a 3-0 defeat of Kazakhstan in Brisbane, with captain Stan Wawrinka beating Alexander Bublik 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) a day after wins from Olympic champion Belinda Bencic and Marc-Andrea Huesler.

Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion who has struggled with injury, finished his match with a winning forehand to the corner.

"It feels good to be back in Australia," the 37-year-old said.

"It's been a long time since I played here. Tonight I had a great level. I'm super-happy with how I'm playing.

"I had to play aggressive and push him at every opportunity."

Italy wrapped up their tie against Brazil when they won both singles matches in Brisbane, with the tournament being played across three cities.

Matteo Berrettini downed Thiago Monteiro in a gruelling clash 6-4, 7-6 (9/7) before Lucia Bronzetti saw off an outclassed Laura Pigossi 6-0, 6-2.

Brazil face Norway on the weekend while Italy take on the Norwegians on Monday and Tuesday.

State Editions

SC uphold land acquisition for Yamuna Expressway

27 November 2024 | Staff Reporter | Delhi

Delhi air quality swings between severe to poor

27 November 2024 | Staff Reporter | Delhi

Center manipulating electoral rolls in Delhi fearing BJP defeat

27 November 2024 | Staff Reporter | Delhi

LG announces month-long anti-drug campaign in Capital

27 November 2024 | Staff Reporter | Delhi

BJP to target AAP in Assembly on corruption, pollution

27 November 2024 | Staff Reporter | Delhi

BJP woos slum dwellers with night stays

27 November 2024 | Staff Reporter | Delhi

Sunday Edition

Food Freak | Lobsters Take Centre Stage at Grappa Pop-Up

24 November 2024 | Pawan Soni | Agenda

A Cozy Escape

24 November 2024 | Abhi Singhal | Agenda

Reviving Telangana’s Culinary Heritage

24 November 2024 | Sharmila Chand | Agenda

The art and spirit of cake mixing

24 November 2024 | Team Viva | Agenda

LUXURY CONVERGE AT HONG KONG

24 November 2024 | AKANKSHA DEAN | Agenda

Discovering the World’s True Essence

24 November 2024 | RUPALI DEAN | Agenda