Matteo Berrettini beats Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 to seal Italy’s victory over Norway and the resulting classification for the quarterfinals of the United Cup.
Berrettini’s win on Tuesday gave Italy a 3-0 lead over Norway and secured top spot in Group E. of the mixed team tournament, where they will face Poland or Switzerland on Wednesday.
Ruud defeated Berrettini twice in 2022, in the Gstaad final and in the US Open quarterfinals, winning five straight sets from the Italian. Berrettini turned the tables on Tuesday at Pat Rafter Arena, coming out strong and winning the match in 1 hour 26 minutes.
“The goal is to have as long a run as possible. It’s great to play with my teammates. We’ve known each other since we were kids. It’s crazy and now we represent Italy. It is a great honor for usBerretini said.
Ruud showed good hard-court form in 2022, reaching the ATP 1000 final and the title match at the ATP Finals. But Berrettini was the more aggressive player in the hot Brisbane conditions.
In Perth, Maria Sakkari earned the pass from Greece by defeating Belgian Elise Mertens 6-1, 7-5. Greece needed just two points in the final Group A tie to advance and Sakkari’s victory confirmed his compatriot Stefanos Tsitsipas’ defeat to David Goffin on Monday.
“It was a very solid game from me. I was obviously nervous at the beginning because I knew my game was important, but I managed to play a good game, even if it wasn’t good at times. I’m very happy to enter the group stage said Sakkari.
Young S. Sacellaridis made it 4-1 after beating Z. Bergs by 5-7, 6-1, 6-3.
In Sydney, the United States completed a 5-0 win over Germany with victories for Jessica Pegula over Laura Siegemund and Frances Tiafoe over Oscar Otte. Pegula and Taylor Fritz then combined to defeat Julia Lohoff and Fabian Fallert in mixed doubles as the United States claimed Group C. This Wednesday they will be looking for a place in the semifinals against Great Britain.
united cup
Last day of the group stage
GROUP A
Greece 4 – Belgium 1
Stefanos Tsitsipas def. David Goffin 6-3, 6-2
Alisson Van Uytvanck def. D. Papamichail 7-5, 2-6, 6-3
Maria Sakkari def. Elise Mertens 6-1, 7-5
S. Sakerllaridis def. Z. Bergs 5-7, 6-1, 6-3
Sakkari/Tsitsipas-Flipkens/Geerts 6-3, 6-2
GROUP C
United States 5 – Germany 0
Taylor Fritz def. Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-4
Madison Keys def. Jule Niemeier 6-2, 6-3
Jessica Pegula def. Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-2
Frances Tiafoe def. Oscar Otte 7-5, 6-4
Pegula/Tiafoe def. Siegemund/Altmaier 6-7(5), 6-4, 10-7
GROUP E
Italy 5 – Norway 0
Lorenzo Musetti def. Viktor Durasovic 7-6(7), 6-3
Martina Trevisan def. Malene Helgo 7-5, 3-6, 6-4
Matteo Berrettini def. Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4
L. Bronzetti def. Jill Teichmann 6-2, 7-5
Rosatello/Musetti-Eikeri/Durasovic 7-6(6), 6-2
Source: La Verdad
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