Stefanos Tsitsipas And Maria Sakkari Secure Victory Over Spain In United Cup

The encounter began with an unexpected upset as Maria Sakkari fell to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, who triumphed 6-2, 6-1 in just 72 minutes during the women’s singles match. Maneiro dominated by breaking Sakkari’s serve in all but one service game, successfully converting seven of her thirteen break points. She clinched the match with a decisive backhand winner that clipped the line, capitalizing on Sakkari’s struggle with a 46% first serve rate and 29 unforced errors.

This victory marked Bouzas Maneiro’s third top-50 win, following her triumphs over Marketa Vondrousova at Wimbledon and Katie Boulter at the US Open in 2024, boosting her United Cup record to 2-1. “I am super happy with my performance today. Yesterday was tough for me, the first match, but I felt really well today,” said Bouzas Maneiro.

Stefanos Tsitsipas then leveled the tie by narrowly defeating Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the men’s singles match, pushing the matchup to a decisive mixed doubles clash. The first set saw Tsitsipas breaking serve in the tenth game to claim it 6-4. Carreno Busta responded by capturing the second set 6-4, after breaking in the ninth game. Despite losing an early break in the final set, Tsitsipas rallied back to break serve twice, clinching the third set 6-4 and improving his United Cup record to six wins and one defeat. “I am happy that I found a way. In a position when you are doubting your choices but somehow trying to find a way, that’s the moment that I am most proud of. I just hope to come out here and represent Greece in the best possible way,” stated Tsitsipas.

The decisive mixed doubles match saw Tsitsipas and Sakkari come from behind to defeat Sergio Martos Gomes and Yvonne Cavalle Reimers 4-6, 6-3, 10-6. After Gomes and Cavalle Reimers took the first set by breaking in the seventh game, the Greek duo responded by winning the second set 6-3, setting the stage for a match tie-break decider. Tsitsipas and Sakkari found their rhythm in the tie-break, securing two mini-breaks to seal their victory 10-6.

“We came clutch when we had to, that tie-break was very good from our side. It’s always amazing to play alongside Stefanos and create good moments on the court,” expressed Sakkari. Tsitsipas added, “There is not a single Greek night without some drama. I am super grateful and I have a fighter like Maria beside me. She never disappoints, she delivered until the end.”

Πηγή: pagenews.gr