2024-01-07 15:32:01
SYDNEY (AP) — Reigning Olympic champion Alexander Zverev saved two match points in an incredible comeback to win their singles match in an epic three sets on Sunday and later helped Germany win the United Cup in a decisive mixed doubles match.
Zverev, sixth in the world rankings, showed that he has enough energy after Saturday’s match ended late and on Sunday morning he came back from being down by a set and two match points to overcome 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in a duel that lasted three hours at the Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney.
Playing their sixth duel in three days, including the semifinal that ended at 2:20 a.m. In a marathon semifinal against Australia, Zverev teamed up with Laura Siegemund to win the mixed doubles on Sunday 6-4, 5-7, 10-4 in the super tiebreaker against Iga Swiatek and Hurkacz.
Hours earlier, Swiatek, the WTA number one, gave Poland the initial advantage with the victory in straight sets against Angelique Kerber.
Swiatek, 22, beat Kerber 6-3, 6-0 in a match that lasted just 70 minutes to extend her winning streak to 16 matches after the four-time major champion ended 2023 with wins at the Open. of China and the WTA Finals in Mexico.
Swiatek’s victory meant that Poland only needed one more victory in the men’s singles or mixed doubles to win the title.
Hurkacz led Poland to the title and led Zverev by a set and 6-4 in the second tiebreaker. But somehow Zverev found the energy and with his incredible forehand it led to the tie.
He later served to win the second set and tie the duel, finally taking the decisive set with a break in the third game to close a hard-fought duel that lasted just under three hours.
“I mean, I also saved the match by saving a shot on the line,” Zverev said. “That’s tennis sometimes. You win and lose by millimeters.”
1704642108
#Germany #wins #United #Cup #beating #Poland #decisive #mixed #doubles