Tennis: Fritz, Keys give United States strong start at inaugural United Cup
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American Taylor Fritz (above) got his country away to a flying start with a 6-3, 6-4 win over world No. 74 Jiri Lehecka.
PHOTO: AFP
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SYDNEY – The United States made a strong start at the inaugural United Cup on Thursday as world No. 9 Taylor Fritz and 11th-ranked Madison Keys cruised through their opening ties against the Czech Republic.
The Dec 29-Jan 8 mixed-team tournament features 18 countries playing in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, with each tie consisting of two men’s and two women’s singles rubbers along with a mixed doubles match over two days as players warm up for the Australian Open.
Fritz got his team off to a flying start with a 6-3, 6-4 win over world No. 81 Jiri Lehecka at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena before Keys saw off Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-3.
Fritz had too much firepower for Lehecka, facing only two break points on his way to a comfortable 75-minute win, but admitted that he had felt some nerves before the match.
“It was the first match of the season and also playing a team event as well adds to it (the nerves),” the American said.
“I think in the beginning of the match I handled it much better than maybe my opponent did. I got the early break, then kind of just held on to it.”
The 25-year-old had a breakthrough year in 2022, beating 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the final at Indian Wells to go with titles in Tokyo and Eastbourne.
He also broke into the top 10 in 2022, reaching a career-high of eighth in October.
Keys, who made the Australian Open semi-finals in 2022, came back from an early break of serve in both sets to see off Bouzkova in 80 minutes.
The former US Open finalist overpowered her Czech opponent from the baseline, taking full advantage of the quick conditions on centre court.
“I’ve known all these friends for a really long time so it’s great to get to compete together in a format that we’ve never got to compete in together,” Keys said of the mixed-team event.
“So far so good. Excited to cheer on Frances (Tiafoe) and Jessica (Pegula) tomorrow.”
In Brisbane, Italy and Brazil were locked at one apiece after the opening day.
Beatriz Haddad Maia, the Brazilian world No. 15, was far too strong for Martina Trevisan, dropping just two games on her way to a 6-2, 6-0 victory.
Brazilian world No. 15 Beatriz Haddad Maia (above) was far too strong for Martina Trevisan.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Lorenzo Musetti then levelled the tie at one-all when he downed Felipe Meligeni Alves 6-3, 6-4.
In Perth, Greek world No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) while his compatriot Despina Papamichail defeated Isabella Shinikova 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 as Greece took a 2-0 lead.
Australia’s temperamental star Nick Kyrgios, who shocked his team by pulling out of the tournament at the 11th hour, said on Thursday that he did so in order be in peak condition for the Australian Open.
“People underestimate the pressure and the nerves with being a part of one of the biggest tournaments of the year,” he told The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Throw in an injury and knowing you didn’t give yourself the best chance only adds to the mountain of pressure you face. Not everyone is going to understand or see it from my side and that is okay.”
Australian Open organisers announced on Thursday that pay rises are in store for players at the Jan 16-29 Grand Slam with a 3.4 per cent boost in the total purse to a record A$76.5 million (S$69.4 million).
The winners of the men and women’s titles will both take home A$2.975 million, and players beaten in earlier rounds will fare better than ever.
Anyone crashing out in round one will receive A$106,250, up 3.2 per cent, while second-round players get a similar increase to A$158,850.
Tournament director Craig Tiley said the total prize pool for the Australian summer of tennis, which includes the United Cup, would exceed A$100 million for the first time.
AFP
