Former champions USA returned to the final of the United Cup mixed team tournament with a fortuitous victory over the Czech Republic on Saturday, setting up a title clash with Poland, who decisively defeated Kazakhstan.
Tomas Machac appeared poised to level the semi-final against Taylor Fritz, holding a 1-1 score. However, an apparent cramp plagued Machac, leading to three straight game losses before he conceded at 7-6(4), 5-6.
With this result, the American team secured an unassailable 2-0 lead, ensuring their advancement to the final.
\"It's great to be back (in the final). That was a crazy match, very physical and it's not the way that I guess I wanted to win,\" Fritz commented. \"He said that he had been cramping for a couple of games. I didn't notice. He was moving pretty well, I guess he was playing through it. It's really humid in here … tough conditions.\"
On the women's side, Coco Gauff kicked off the 2023 champions with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over the formidable Karolina Muchova, in a rematch of last year's Beijing final which the American also won.
\"It's never easy against Karolina,\" said world No. 3 Gauff, who overcame a deep break in the second set to prevail over Muchova in Sydney. \"The whole match I was intense and focused and I think that made the difference today.\"
Reference(s):
USA beat Czech Republic to set up final against Poland in United Cup
cgtn.com
