What a thriller! In the semi-finals of the United Cup, the German tennis stars won the decisive mixed doubles and thus made it into the final perfect. The Poles are waiting there on Sunday.
After Angelique Kerber celebrated her first win in the fourth game after her maternity leave and put the German team in the lead against hosts Australia (4:6, 6:2, 7:6 against Ajla Tomljanovic), Germany’s number one Alexander Zverev had to lose despite leading the set 7:5, 3:6 and 4:6 against Alex De Minaur. The decision was made in the final mixed doubles – and that was tough.
“I really enjoy playing here. For me it’s the first individual victory after my return. And that’s a really great feeling,” said Kerber after her game: “I tried to learn from the last three matches. And now to win such a tough fight means a lot to me.”
As in the quarter-final win against Greece, Zverev moved alongside Laura Siegemund in the final doubles for the originally scheduled Maximilian Marterer – and as against the Hellenes, the duo harmonized excellently.
German tennis stars use fifth match point
Siegemund/Zverev prevailed 7:6, 6:7 and 15:13 against Storm Hunter and Matthew Ebden, who were unbeaten in the United Cup to date. A result that could hardly have been closer.
This is also proven by the statistics: Overall, with 93, the Germans only won five points more than the Australians, and both Tams were also able to record exactly two breaks.
In the decider, Hunter/Ebden also had two chances to win the match, but in the end the DTB stars used their fifth match point to make it into the final perfect.
“First Angelique was the MVP, she saved my butt. Then Laura was the MVP,” said Zverev, who could barely stand on his feet.
The team competition is considered preparation for the Australian Open, which begins on January 14th.