Tennis roundup: Taylor Fritz, Jessica Pegula give U.S. win in United Cup

Field Level Media|published: Sun 31st December, 11:26 2023

Aug 19, 2022; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Taylor Fritz (USA) returns a shot during his match against Daniil Medvedev (RUS) at the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. credits: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula propelled the United States to a 2-1 victory over Great Britain in the United Cup in Australia with a come-from-behind win in mixed-doubles play on Sunday.

The Americans are the defending champion at the tournament, which features both men and women representing their countries in team play.

Fritz won his singles event against Cameron Norrie 7-6 (5), 6-4, while Katie Boulter upset Pegula 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in Group C singles play, setting up the decisive mixed-doubles match.

Fritz and Pegula fell lost the first set to Boulter and Neal Skupski before emerging with the 1-6, 7-6 (4), 10-7 victory. The U.S. will move to the quarterfinals of the United Cup if they defeat Australia on Monday night.

In Group E, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic defeated China's Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 6-2, but Qinwen Zheng bested Serbia's Olga Danilovic 6-4, 6-2 to set up the key mixed-doubles clash. Djokovic and Danilovic defeated the Chinese duo 6-4, 1-6, 10-6 to capture the 2-1 victory.

And in Group B play, Canada defeated Chile 2-1. Leylah Fernandez topped Daniela Seguel 6-2, 6-3, while Chile's Nicolas Jarry defeated Steven Diez 7-5, 6-4. In mixed doubles, Fernandez and Diez beat Seguel and Tomas Barrios Vera 7-5, 4-6, 10-8.

Brisbane Interational

Alexei Popyrin kicked off the 2024 tennis season with a 6-4, 6-7, 7-6 win over Christopher O'Connell in their native Australia.

O'Connell powered 21 aces, but Popyrin won 81 percent of his first-serve points on the way to the win,.

Alexander Shevchenko defeated Luca Van Assche of France 6-3, 6-2 to move to the second round. The Russian converted three of seven break points.

On the women's side, Spain's Cristina Bucsa needed three sets to knock out Greet Minnen of Belgium 5-7, 6-3, 6-1.

Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk and Romanian Ana Bogdan also went the limit, with Kostyuk prevailing 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Kostyuk won 83 percent of the points on first serve, compared to 70 percent for her opponent.

—Field Level Media