SYDNEY, Australia -- No.16 Petra Kvitova came through again for the Czech Republic, defeating Laura Siegemund 6-4, 6-2 for her second win at the United Cup. The victory gave the Czech Republic an insurmountable 3-0 lead over Germany, sealing the tie for the Czechs, who will finish with a 1-1 record in Group C.
Lehecka, Bouzkova sweep Germany on Day 3
Kvitova has come through two physical wins this week in Sydney. Her opening victory over No.3 Jessica Pegula, a tight 7-6(6), 6-4 win, was a big confidence boost for the former World No.2, who saved seven set points in the first set to win in two.
Pojd perfection 💪@Petra_Kvitova proves her class to secure the tie 3-0 for Czech Republic#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/SmpL4ZWhDz
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 1, 2023
That same resilience was on display against Siegemund. The scoreline betrays just how hard the German made Kvitova work for the win. Siegemund generated 11 break points in the match - two more than Kvitova - but the Czech came through in the clutch. Despite ten double faults on the day, Kvitova saved nine of 11 break points, while breaking Siegemund four times.
Germany earned their first point of the tie thanks to Oscar Otte, who downed Dalibor Svrcina 7-6(1), 6-2 in the No.2 men's singles match tie. Svrcina replaced Czech's No.2 men's player, Tomas Machac, who injured his ankle in his opening match against Frances Tiafoe.
Otte, who rallied from a double break down in the first set, is currently No. 76 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings having reached a career-high No. 36 in June. A mixed doubles match will round off the Group C tie between Czech Republic and Germany in Sydney.
In the last match of the tie, Germany closed the gap to 3-2 after Laura Siegemund and Alexander Zverev teamed up to defeat Marie Bouzkova and Jiri Lehecka, 6-4, 7-6(1).
Germany (0-1) will now ready to face Team USA (1-0) on Monday in the final tie of Group C.
The United Cup is a new mixed-teams event featuring 18 countries across Brisbane, Perth and Sydney. Played over two days, ties will be comprised of two ATP and two WTA singles matches and one mixed-doubles match.
The ATP Tour contributed to this report.
