By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday January 5, 2024
Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund combined to send Germany into the semifinals at United Cup.
Photo Source: Getty
Alexander Zverev’s important win over Stefanos Tsitsipas spearheaded Germany’s comeback 2-1 victory over Greece on Friday night in Sydney. 26-year-old Zverev snapped a two-match losing streak against Tsitsipas with his 6-4 6-4 triumph.
Zverev improves to 5-9 lifetime against Tsitsipas with the win.
"I thought the level was quite high," he said. "I thought that obviously I had a little bit of pressure with us being 1-0 down, but I felt well on the court today and I was happy with that."
Zverev then joined forces with doubles stalwart Laura Siegemund to defeat Maria Sakkari and Petros Tsitsipas 6-3 6-3 to send Germany through.
Earlier, resurgent Sakkari drubbed Angelique Kerber 6-0, 6-3 to remain perfect in United Cup singles matches (Kerber has gone 0-3 in singles), but Greece could not hold back Zverev and his compatriots.
At this year's United Cup, Zverev has gone 3-0 in singles with wins over Lorenzo Sonego, Adrian Mannarino and Tsitsipas, and 2-1 in mixed doubles.
“A few days ago I wasn’t sure if we would be in the quarter-finals or not. I told the team I felt we deserved to be here,” Zverev said.
Last year Zverev was a shell of himself at United Cup. Making his return from ankle surgery, he was unable to produce high quality tennis. He’s glad that those tough moments are now firmly in the rearview.
“I'm happy I can help with the team, because last year I really couldn't. I lost all my singles matches,” he said.
“It was a pretty big match with the weight on our shoulders trying to carry the team forward to the semis,” Seigemund, who owns a major title in women’s doubles (2020 US Open) and mixed doubles (2016 US Open), added. “We’re a dangerous mixed when it comes to 1-all.”
Germany will face Australia in the semifinals on Saturday night, with Zverev hoping to continue a trend against Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur. He has won six of seven contests against the man they call “the Demon”.
Zverev knows that De Minaur is in great form. The Aussie loves playing for his nation, and he took out Novak Djokovic in straight sets earlier in the week.
“I think he's playing one of the best tennis of his life, right?” Zverev said. “Beating Novak in straight sets, that kind of always shows that you're playing really well.
“The last time we played was probably Rome 2022, so that's a while back. Things have changed a little bit. I think he's gotten a lot better, you know, closing in on the top 10, as well.”
Poland, led by Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz, will face France in the other semifinal.