Alexander Zverev saved two match chances in a tough three-set triumph against Hubert Hurkacz to help Germany defeat top-seeds Poland and capture its first United Cup title in Sydney on Sunday.
The world number seven kept the tie alive with a never-say-die 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 win after top-ranked Iga Swiatek defeated Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-0. Zverev returned to partner Laura Siegemund and won the mixed doubles final 6-4, 5-7, 10-4 over Swiatek and Hurkacz.
Triumph for Germany’s youngsters
“It was a matter of millimeters today for you guys (Poland) to be champions,” Zverev stated during the award ceremony. “Thank you to my team for an incredible and enjoyable experience. “I couldn’t be happier.”
Hurkacz and Zverev had not played since the 2021 ATP Finals when the German was named winner. Both 26 years old and strong servers, there were only minor differences in the singles match, with Hurkacz rising to the occasion in the opening set tiebreak.
It went the distance again in the second set, with the Pole saving two set points from Zverev at 5-6. But this time, he lost his composure in the tiebreak and squandered two championship opportunities as Zverev advanced to the final set despite indications of exhaustion.
With mistakes seeping into Hurkacz’s game, Zverev broke for a 4-3 lead in the third and, despite cramping, won.
“I was exhausted,” Zverev remarked, with Germany’s semi-final lasting until 2.18 am on Sunday. “In the middle of the second set I was already exhausted and in the third set I was hanging on a lot of the time and somehow got the break,” he said.”Obviously mentally and physically, it was extremely difficult because playing three days in a row singles and mixed is tough,” he added.
Swiatek is in imperious form coming into the Australian Open, having dropped only one set in the mixed teams competition and riding a 16-match winning streak that began with her wins through Beijing and Cancun after last season.
She was on a different level than former world number one Angelique Kerber, who has won nine consecutive games since returning from an 18-month maternity leave.
“I feel like I just really improved during the pre-season and I’m happy that I played such solid matches here,” the 22-year-old added. “I’m quite happy with myself since I won all of my singles.
“I felt like she was picking the right spots to play and she surprised me sometimes with her decision-making and choices,” she said of the player. “I knew she could play like that, but I didn’t have much time to get into the groove since she was occasionally shooting these balls upside down.
“With the ball change, I felt like my game could be more dynamic and I could push Angelique more after 4-3 (in the first set).”
Kerber applied early pressure on Swiatek, who saved two break points to hold for 3-2. But the match changed when the Pole overcame Kerber’s serve to break for 5-3, and it was a demolition job from there as Swiatek ran riot.
She will compete in the Australian Open after defeating Caroline Garcia, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Sara Sorribes Tormo, and Zheng Qinwen, in addition to Kerber.
