Kvitova seals United Cup tie for Czechs

Murray Wenzel | January 1, 2023

Petra Kvitova has sealed a first United Cup victory for the Czech Republic by beating Germany’s Laura Siegemund in Sydney.

Kvitova’s 6-4 6-2 win on Sunday morning gave her country an unassailable 3-0 lead, securing the tie after Alexander Zverev was upset by Czech Jiri Lehecka in his comeback from injury a day earlier.

In the tie’s third singles rubber, also on New Year’s Eve, Marie Bouzkova beat Germany’s Jule Niemeier 6-2 7-5. 

It moves the Czechs to 1-1 after losing their opening tie of the new mixed teams event 4-1 to the United States, who can secure their passage to the semi-finals with victory over Germany from Monday.

Kvitova, currently ranked 16 but a former world No.2 with 29 career singles titles, was tested by the world No.177.

But the left-hander swung freely to break at 5-4 in the first set and then rifled another winning return past the German to set-up a 2-0 advantage in the second set.

Siegemund pressured the Czech’s serve but could not finish the job, before Kvitova broke again for a 4-0 lead.

The German won the next two games and was 0-30 on Kvitova’s serve, threatening to break again before the Czech steadied and prevailed in one hour, 50 minutes.

In Brisbane, world No.3 Casper Ruud fought to keep Norway alive, beating Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro 6-3 6-2.

The South Americans lead 2-1, with Laura Pigossi able to sew up the tie if she beats Norway’s Ulrikke Eikeri in the women’s singles rubber to follow.

If she loses, the tie will be decided by a live mixed doubles.

Later in Sydney, world No.13s Paula Badosa and Pablo Carreno Busta will be aiming to dig Spain out of a massive hole.

Rafael Nadal’s shock three-set loss to Cameron Norrie, and Katie Swan’s upset win over Nuria Parrizas Diaz, gave Great Britain a surprise 2-0 lead over Spain in Sydney on New Year’s Eve.

Those results mean Badosa needs to beat world No.98 Harriet Dart and Carreno Busta must get the job done against Daniel Evans to send the tie to a live mixed doubles on New Year’s Day.

Nadal is currently listed to play in the mixed doubles.

Great Britain have already beaten Australia 3-2 in the opening tie. If they also defeat Spain, it would mean that neither defeated country would be able to win the title.

Belgium and Bulgaria are locked at 1-1 in their tie, as are Poland and Kazakhstan.

Croatia lead Argentina 2-0.

Australia are back in action against Spain on Monday, with Alex de Minaur scheduled to take on Nadal and Zoe Hives to face Parrizas Diaz.