This came as the United States advanced to a playoff match against Britain. Zverev, the German who has won the ATP Finals twice, lost to the world number nine in Sydney, 6-1, 6-4, in just 64 minutes, as he continued his recovery from a serious injury.
It came after his first competitive match since tearing three right ankle ligaments in the French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal in June when he lost in straight sets to 81st-ranked Czech Jiri Lehecka.
In 2022, Fritz had a breakout year, winning titles at Indian Wells, Tokyo, and Eastbourne.
“However, I’m very pleased with it. He should fully regain his form in a short amount of time, I’m sure.”
In the mixed-team competition, 18 nations compete in Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth.
On Wednesday, the winners of the two groups in each city will compete in a city final, and the winner of that will advance to the final four.
Madison Keys swept past Jule Niemeier 6-2, 6-3 for her second win of the season, following Fritz’s lead with a dominant performance of her own.
It made it certain that the United States would face Britain in the final in Sydney.
Keys stated, “I think overall I played really solid.” To make things as simple as a tennis match could be, I just tried to hit as many first serves as I could.
In the first set, which ended in just 21 minutes, Zverev did not win a single point off Fritz’s first serve and only two off the American’s second. He struggled with his movement and did not chase at full speed.
Zverev the Olympic champion
Zverev, the Olympic champion, put up more of a fight in the second set as his confidence grew, dropping from a career-high of two to 12 in the world.
He held serve, but his serve was broken on the next point to fall behind 3-1. Fritz held on and won the match with an ace, serving out to love, despite Zverev making his only break point of the match at 2-3. Zverev won the match with an ace.
Later on Monday, world number two Rafael Nadal will face Alex de Minaur of Australia and attempt to get his first win of the season after losing in three sets to Cameron Norrie in Sydney.
Spain and Australia cannot move on from Group D because Norrie’s Britain is already the clear winner.
Polish world number one Iga Swiatek and Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic get down to square off in a champ and bring home all the glory tie that will choose Gathering B in Brisbane, while Italy needs a success against disposed of Norway in Gathering E to progress without regard to Brazil.
Group F will be decided in Perth between France and Croatia, and Belgium must beat Greece at least 4-1 to advance from Group A.