It was the perfect start to the United Cup for team USA with both of their players winning in straight sets against the Czech Republic. 

On the first day of the new mixed event which offers ranking points and has a prize money pool of $15M, Taylor Fritz got his country off to a strong start by defeating Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4. A 21-year-old Czech who was runner-up to Brandon Nakashima at the Next Gen Finals in November. Fritz remained unbroken throughout the match and won 78% of his first service points. 

“In a team event, first match of the year, there are always some nerves coming out, so it is great to come out and get the team ahead,” Fritz said afterwards. “Hopefully loosen everyone else up. It is a tough position to play if behind, so it is really good for the team.”

Madison Keys continued her country’s winning momentum by defeating Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-3. Keys, who is currently ranked 11th in the world, was forced to battle back from a break down in both sets. 

“I have always typically done pretty well here,” said Keys, who has reached the Australian Open semi-final twice in her career. “I love playing here and I think I just do really well, whether it’s the people or I like playing in the heat. It’s the start of the year, it’s fast and bouncy and suits my game really well.”

During the 2022 season, Keys only reached one Tour final which was at the Adelaide International where she defeated Alison Riske to win the title. She hopes to regain that kind of form at the United Cup where she is relishing the rare opportunity of playing alongside her teammates. 

“We’ve all known each other for a really long time,” she said.
“We’ve been really close for a long time. It’s great having coaching out there, but every time you look over you have people you’ve known forever they’re supporting you. It’s a really great environment.”

Later in the tie, there is a mouthwatering clash between two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova and Jessica Pegula. Frances Tiafoe will also play the second men’s singles match on Friday. 

Tsitsipas fights back 

In Group A Greece leads Bulgaria 2-0 after two tough victories in Perth. 29-year-old Despina Papamichail, who is yet to play in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament, battled back from a set down to defeat a weary Isabella Shinikova 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Shinikova had treatment on her left quad during the match and was also troubled by hand cramps. 

Papamichail’s win was a big boost for team Greece ahead of one of the tournament’s most intriguing matches on Day one. Stefanos Tsitsipas took to the court to face Grigor Dimitrov in what was a marathon battle that lasted more than two hours with both players having their chance to seal the victory. 

Dimitrov, who is also the captain of his team, had a double chance to break at 4-4 in the decider but failed to convert. Overcoming the scare, Tsitsipas held his nerve to prevail 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4), and earn his 250th ATP win. 

“It was extremely close. I think he was one point away and that made a difference,” Tsitsipas said during his on-court interview.
“I’ll take it. It was a good effort from my side.
“It was quite difficult playing with the heat in the beginning. I was happy the roof closed.
“We enjoyed some high-quality tennis, I was just trying to hang in there, fight. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy as Grigor is someone who has done exceptionally well in the past couple of years.
“He’s still got it. He can still compete against the best players in the world and I’m glad I found this little gap in between and gave myself a chance to do something in the tiebreaker.”

Elsewhere at the tournament, Italy and Brazil are currently tied at 1-1. Beatriz Haddad Maia thrashed Martina Trevisan 6-2, 6-0 before Lorenzo Musetti dismissed Felipe Meligeni Alves 6-3, 6-4.