Germany knocks hosts Australia out of the tournament. First Angelique Kerber celebrates, then Alexander Zverev weakens. The Hamburg player does better in the doubles
The German tennis team has reached the final of the United Cup. Olympic champion Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund won the final mixed doubles match against Storm Hunter/Matthew Ebden 7:6 (7:2), 6:7 (2:7), 15:13 in the match tie-break to secure a decisive 2:1 victory over hosts Australia. The victory was not decided until 2:19 a.m. local time on Sunday night in Sydney.
In the final of the mixed competition, Germany will face the Polish team of world number one Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz on Sunday. In the preliminary round, Poland won 3-0 against France, who had beaten the German team 2-1 in the group stage.
“We still have the chance to win the tournament. We’re very happy,” said Zverev, who expressed his special thanks to doubles partner Siegemund and also to returning Angelique Kerber: “She saved my ass. “
The decision in the mixed doubles once again
Zverev had previously missed out on an earlier decision with a 7:5, 3:6, 4:6 against Alex de Minaur. It was the first singles defeat of the still young season for the Hamburg native. As Kerber had put Germany in the lead at the start with a 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (9-7) win against Ajla Tomljanovic and won her first singles match after a year and a half break to have a baby, the decision was made in the mixed doubles, just like the quarter-final win the day before.
Kerber won a nerve-wracking duel against Tomljanovic. “It’s the first singles win for me since my comeback, it’s a really great feeling,” said the 35-year-old in an interview on court: “I’ve also tried to learn from previous matches. To win such a tough duel here now means a lot to me. “
The United Cup is regarded as preparation for the Australian Open in Melbourne, which begins on January 14. Kerber is making her comeback to the tennis tour at the mixed event following the birth of her daughter Liana at the end of February 2023.
