Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund rejoice after profitable their quarterfinal match towards Greece
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Alexander Zverev led Germany into the semi-finals of the United Cup on January 5 after profitable his singles rubber towards Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas earlier than partnering Laura Siegemund within the combined doubles to clinch the decider.
World quantity eight Maria Sakkari had given Greece a 1-0 lead with a 6-0 6-3 win over three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber, earlier than Zverev defeated Tsitsipas 6-4 6-4.
With the crew rating tied at 1-1, Zverev returned to the court docket quickly after to play the combined doubles decider, the place the Greek pair of Petros Tsitsipas and Sakkari have been crushed 6-3 6-3.
“I was taking a back seat (playing) with Laura. I think we deserve to be in the semi-finals,” Zverev mentioned.
Zverev was aggressive within the singles, doing harm together with his first serve and though Australian Open runner-up Tsitsipas hit 16 winners, his 24 unforced errors allowed Zverev to cruise previous the world quantity six.
Zverev, who fell within the second spherical of final 12 months’s Australian Open following his comeback from an ankle harm, is hoping to progress additional within the Grand Slam this 12 months.
“Being healthy is the biggest thing for any athlete, the mindset this year is different,” Zverev mentioned.
“I hope that I can stay in Australia a bit longer maybe a bit more successful, I’ve already won more matches this year than I did last year so I’m happy.”
Earlier, Sakkari comfortably beat Kerber, who’s taking part in her first event in 18 months after a maternity break.
Sakkari acquired off to a flying begin, dashing by means of the primary 9 video games of the match to take the primary set and rack up a 3-0 lead within the second earlier than Kerber was lastly in a position to maintain serve.
The maintain appeared to spark Kerber into motion as she broke to carry the second set again on serve at 3-2, however her temporary resurgence was rapidly squashed by Sakkari, who claimed her third straight singles win of the event.
“I was pretty clinical in the first set and through 3-0 in the second, I was very solid from the baseline doing what I had to do,” Sakkari mentioned.
“I knew Angie was going to find a way to come back and that she wasn’t going to give up. After the first set I said there was no way the match will go super easy.”
Poland tackle France within the different semi-final. (Reporting by Shifa Jahan and Aadi Nair Editing by Toby Davis)
