Matteo Berrettini of Italy won a thrilling three-set match on Wednesday against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland to give Italy the advantage in the United Cup city final in Brisbane.
Berrettini defeated the imposing world number 10 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, proving that he is a serious contender for the Australian Open.
After rising star Lorenzo Musetti served almost flawlessly to put Italy ahead in the first match of the day, top-ranked Iga Swiatek defeated Martina Trevisan to level the tie.
When Magda Linette plays Lucia Bronzetti in the second women’s singles match before the mixed doubles, she will attempt to level the match for Poland once more and reach the final.
Berrettini ranked sixth worldwide out of the top 10
Berrettini, who once ranked sixth worldwide, has fallen out of the top 10, but he has demonstrated that he is on track to return to his best.
Berrettini stated, “I’m really happy with my performance — I think the level was really high, he’s a great player.” We have fought in the past, and I’m sure we will fight again.
In the first match, Musetti defeated Daniel Michalski of Poland 6-1, 6-1 in just 57 minutes after losing only three points on serve.
The best-performing losing finalist and the winners of the Brisbane, Sydney, and Perth city finals advance to the semi-finals of the inaugural mixed team tournament.
Musetti, a 20-year-old who will be ranked 23 in the world in 2022, defeated Michalski, who was ranked 260th, with a 17-win victory.
He stated, “I was so focused on the match today, and the service was really good.” However, I believe I played my best match thus far because I had a great feel for the ball with each shot.
three-time Grand Slam champion: Swiatek
Swiatek defeated Trevisan 6-2, 6-4, but Poland responded.
The three-time Grand Slam champion won the first set quickly but had to fight hard in the second, winning in 1 hour and 51 minutes.
Swiatek stated, “I felt like she had her chances as well,” and “it became tight at the end.” My objective is to play tennis at the same level until the end and be more consistent.
When she defeated Harriet Dart 6-2, 6-0 in Sydney, world number three Jessica Pegula put the United States ahead of Britain 2-1.
Pegula was merciless in her 57-minute destruction of the 98th-ranked Dart.
“I figure I did everything all around well today — occasionally you come out terminating and you feel better,” she said.
Before Cameron Norrie retaliated by defeating Taylor Fritz in a high-quality match, a tenacious Madison Keys gave the United States an early lead over Britain.
Keys lost the first set to Katie Swan, but she recovered to win the exhausting match in two hours and 18 minutes, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Norrie and Fritz played an enchanting experience which was yet to be determined until the Briton broke at 4-4 in the last set then served it out to guarantee a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 triumph.
When Frances Tiafoe plays Dan Evans in the final singles match, she will try to win the match.
Donna Vekic defeated Despina Papamichail of Greece 6-2, 6-0 to give Croatia the first point in Perth. However, Stefanos Tsitsipas evened the score by defeating Borna Coric 6-0, 6-7 (4/7), 7-5.