The Netherlands won the decisive mixed doubles match and beat Norway 2-1 on Saturday in their first United Cup group stage tie, as China swept the Czech Republic 3-0.
In Sydney, Arantxa Rus gave the Dutch an early lead with a 7-6 (4), 6-1 victory over Malene Helgø, before No. Casper Ruud tied 11 for the Norwegians by defeating Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 6-4.
The Dutch couple Demi Schuurs and Wesley Koolhof won the decisive mixed doubles match over Ruud and Ulrikke Eikeri 7-6(5) and 7-5 and won the Group F tie.
In the Group E match, played in Perth, China took a 2-0 lead after Zhang Zhizhen came from behind to beat Jiri Lehecka 5-7 6-3 6-4 and Zheng Qinwen beat number 7 Marketa Vondrousova 6-1, 2-6 and 6-1. Next, the Chinese couple sealed the final 3-0 by winning the mixed doubles.
Angelique Kerber, former Australian Open champion, returned to the court after giving birth in February, and lost 6-4, 7-5 against Italian Jasmine Paoline in Germany’s opening Group D match in Sydney.
Joining Kerber on the German team will be Alexander Zverev, number 7, who will face Lorenzo Sonego in a night match. Later on Saturday in Perth, the world number 1, Iga Swiatek will take to the court in the first match of Group A against Brazil.
Swiatek will face number 11 Beatrice Haddad Maia, before Hubert Hurkacz plays Thiago Seyboth Wild in the men’s match. Brazil lost their opening match against Spain 2-1 on Friday.
On Sunday, the No. 1 will return to Perth. 1 of the men Novak Djokovic for the first time since the 2013 Hopman Cup, when he led Serbia in their first group match against China.
Source: La Verdad
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