The United States beat Italy 4-0 in the final of the inaugural United Cup, a mixed-team tournament that started with 18 nations competing in the group stage in three Australian cities (Perth, Brisbane and Sydney).
American ATP world No.9 Taylor Fritz secured victory for his country by beating Italian Matteo Berrettini 7-6(4) 7-6(6) in the third rubber of the best-of-five final at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney.
Earlier, American WTA world No.3 Jessica Pegula beat Martina Trevisan 6-4 6-2 and Frances Tiafoe earned a point for the United States when Lorenzo Musetti retired due to a shoulder injury after losing the first set 6-2. Madison Keys, ranked No.11 in the WTA, put the United States 4-0 ahead with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti.
The U.S. team lost just two rubbers throughout the entire tournament that began on December 29.
First they won their three-nation Group C in Sydney, as they took a leading position ahead of the Czech Republic and Germany. They thus progressed into the Sydney City Final, where they went on to defeat Great Britain 4-1 and earn a spot in the United Cup Final Four. In those semifinals, they went 5-0 against Poland, whose main player Iga Swiatek suffered a tough loss against Jessica Pegula. Advancing to the final, the U.S. team’s last obstacle was Italy, who defeated Greece 4-1 in the semis.
This is a great start to the 2023 season for American tennis. In addition, American Coco Gauff won the ASB Classic title in Auckland, New Zealand this weekend.
