German victory in the United Cup
Zverev & Co. overthrow the world number 1
January 7, 2024, 3:13 p.m
The final of the United Cup turns into a tennis thriller: Angelique Kerber loses to world number one Iga Swiatek, Alexander Zverev then equalizes. In the decisive mixed doubles, Zverev pulls off a coup alongside Laura Siegemund.
Laura Siegemund fell screaming on the neck of the tireless fighter Alexander Zverev – and Angelique Kerber also danced in the circle, beaming: The German tennis team landed a real surprise coup in Sydney. With a courageously fought 2-1 final victory in the United Cup against the favored Poles, Zverev and Co. set a first, real exclamation mark in the new season.
The Olympic champion Zverev fought another night shift and with a three-hour long single in the bones in the decisive mixed doubles alongside Laura Siegemund, a 6:4, 5:7, 10:4 win in the match tiebreak against the top duo Iga Swiatek/Hubert Hurkacz. Shortly before 1 a.m. local time the victory was complete.
The former world number two had previously courageously fought for the chance of the title in a 6:7 (3:7), 7:6 (8:6), 6:4 win against Hurkacz and ensured the 1:1 equalizer. The 35-year-old Kerber from Kiel, who celebrated her return to the big tennis stage after the birth of her daughter at the team event before the Australian Open (from January 14th), clearly lost to world number one Iga Swiatek 3:6, 0:6.
Nevertheless, after the 0-1 result, a rare German success was achieved in one of the tennis team competitions. The most important of the category – the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup – were last won by teams from the Federal Republic in 1993 and 1992, respectively.
Kerber only challenges Swiatek at times
The schedule surrounding the final was extremely challenging for Zverev, Kerber and Co. “It’s almost more strenuous here than at a Grand Slam. We don’t have any days off, but we’re now in the final and there are no excuses,” said Zverev Tennis TV. It was only on the Australian night of Sunday at 2.20 a.m. that the 26-year-old and Siegemund had made it to the final with a 2-1 win against Australia. Hours later they were lying in bed and dreaming of the title.
The start on Sunday failed. Kerber had gained fresh self-confidence after her individual victory in the semi-finals and courageously entered the duel with Swiatek as an outsider. The three-time Grand Slam winner played powerfully and repeatedly put the world number one in trouble. However, Kerber was unable to take advantage of her chances and missed five break points in the first round alone. Swiatek took the first set after 48 minutes. The Pole, who was still unbeaten this year, was unstoppable after that. Swiatek got two quick breaks in the second section and after 1:10 hours she used her first match point.
Kerber now had to hope for Zverev. The top player, who had suffered his only individual defeat in the competition to date against the Australian Alex de Minaur, initially noticed the short night a little in the close duel with Hurkacz. In the decisive situations in the first set he seemed to lack freshness, but Zverev fought back courageously, fended off two match points and was one break ahead in the third round.
“I don’t know how I won the match. But it’s not over yet,” said Zverev. He sneaked out of the Ken Rosewall Arena exhausted – only to reappear a little later and collect the decisive point for the coup.