United Cup Final Four settled as Greek No 1s pull through
Greece settled the final four of the United Cup as they won their tie in a dramatic final mixed doubles match of their tie against Croatia.
Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas came through for their team, maintaining respective unbeaten streaks.
The Greeks were heavily favoured having wheeled out their big guns for the mixed doubles yet again.
The two top-ten-ranked Greeks downed Borna Gojo and Petra Martic in Perth on Wednesday to book their place in the United Cup final four.
Gojo had earlier beaten the teenaged injury replacement Stefanos Sakellaridis to force the deciding match following victory in the women’s No 1 singles match for Sakkari that had given Greece a 2-1 lead.
The straight sets win by Greece in the mixed doubles would see Croatia eliminated as Italy go through as the highest-ranked losing team.
Sakkari and Tsitsipas have experience of playing together in Perth’s RAC Arena and kept up their excellent rapport.
“I think our first mixed doubles was on this court,” said Sakkari. “Our games are just clicking. We know each other really well and we have great chemistry on the court, and I think that’s the key. Of course, the more we develop as players, that’s also something that adds up and makes us play a lot better on the mixed doubles for sure.”
Sakkari and Tsitsipas have don etn heavy lifting for Greece this week but the WTA World No 6 stressed that it was a team effort.
“I am so happy and proud of this team, I just cannot put it in words,” said Sakkari. “Coming in here, it’s the first tournament of the year, you don’t know what kind of form you are in, but I think we saw that we are in pretty good form!”
Tsitsipas would thank the Perth crowd as Greece prepare to jet across to Sydney where they will play their United Cup final four tie from Friday.
“I’m happy we pulled this through. I’m proud of the team,” said Tsitsipas. “Fighters is what defines us. That first big step we took here in Perth is going to remain memorable. I’m happy we started in Perth, I wished for it… Let me just say, we might be in Sydney, but our heart remains here.”
While Greece face Italy, Poland take on the United States in the other final four tie.
United Cup order of play
ORDER OF PLAY – FRIDAY, JANUARY 06, 2023
KEN ROSEWALL ARENA start 13:00 local time (02:00 GMT)
[2] I. Swiatek (POL) vs [3] J. Pegula (USA)
[2] D. Michalski (POL) vs [3] F. Tiafoe (USA)
Not Before 19:00 (08:00 GMT)
[1] M. Sakkari (GRE) vs [5] M. Trevisan (ITA)
[1] M. Pervolarakis (GRE) vs [5] L. Musetti (ITA)
ORDER OF PLAY – SATURDAY, JANUARY 07, 2023
KEN ROSEWALL ARENA start 10:00 (23:00 Friday 6 January)
[2] H. Hurkacz (POL) vs [3] T. Fritz (USA)
[2] M. Linette (POL) vs [3] M. Keys (USA)
Mixed Doubles Match: POL vs USA
Not Before 17:00 (06:00 GMT)
[1] S. Tsitsipas (GRE) vs [5] M. Berrettini (ITA)
[1] D. Papamichail (GRE) vs [5] L. Bronzetti (ITA)
Mixed Doubles Match: GRE vs ITA
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