Petra Kvitova upset world quantity three Jessica Pegula Friday, however the US nonetheless gained their United Cup tie in opposition to the Czech Republic in Sydney.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova clinched a thriller, saving seven set factors within the first set earlier than successful 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 on the Ken Rosewall Area.
After the People gained the opening two rubbers on Thursday, Kvitova’s victory gave her nation hope within the inaugural match, which options two males’s and two ladies’s singles matches together with a blended doubles.
However the US clinched the tie when Tomas Machac injured his ankle in opposition to Nineteenth-ranked Francis Tiafoe and was compelled to retire harm whereas down 6-3, 2-4.
Kvitova, ranked 16, appeared again to her finest in opposition to Pegula, who burst into the highest 10 in 2022 by successful the WTA 1000 match in Guadalajara for the largest title of her profession.
After a topsy-turvy first set that might have gone both means, she bought a double break firstly of the second set and whereas the American bought one again, Kvitova was in a position to maintain on and take the match in two hours.
“It was a high-level match for a stable two hours, it bought sort of bodily in direction of the tip,” stated Pegula.
“She can actually step into the court docket, hit numerous winners and hits an enormous ball. It is not all the time straightforward enjoying somebody like her first match of the season.”
Tiafoe, a US Open semi-finalist this yr, began brilliantly in opposition to Machac, racing by way of the primary set with relative ease.
Machac fought again within the second and was a break up earlier than rolling his ankle and retiring.
“He picked up his sport and broke me twice — I used to be a bit sloppy there,” Tiafoe stated.
The Czech Republic will face Alexander Zverev’s Germany on Saturday whereas the US have two days off earlier than they shut out group play in opposition to the Germans.
Switzerland accomplished a 3-0 defeat of Kazakhstan in Brisbane, with captain Stan Wawrinka defeating Alexander Bublik 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) a day after wins from Olympic champion Belinda Bencic and Marc-Andrea Huesler.
– ‘Nice stage’ –
Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion who has struggled with damage, completed his match with a successful forehand to the nook.
“It feels good to be again in Australia,” the 37-year-old stated. “It has been a very long time since I performed right here.
“Tonight I had an incredible stage,” he added. “I am super-happy with how I am enjoying. I needed to play aggressive and push him at each alternative.”
Italy wrapped up their tie in opposition to Brazil once they gained each singles matches in Brisbane, with the match being performed throughout three cities.
Matteo Berrettini downed Thiago Monteiro in a gruelling conflict 6-4, 7-6 (9/7) earlier than Lucia Bronzetti noticed off an outclassed Laura Pigossi 6-0, 6-2. Brazil face Norway on the weekend whereas Italy tackle the Norwegians on Monday and Tuesday.
In Perth, world quantity six Maria Sakkari gave Greece an unassailable 3-0 lead over Bulgaria when she beat Viktoriya Tomova 6-3, 6-2.
“I used to be a bit nervous to start with, particularly being 2-0 up within the tie, I knew my match was essential in successful the tie,” stated Sakkari. “She was very stable, however I discovered my sport and bought higher.”
Her teammates Stefanos Tsitsipas and Despina Papamichail gained their matches on Thursday.
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