Returnee Angelique Kerber failed to lead the German tennis team into the quarter-finals of the United Cup.
After Alexander Zverev’s hard-fought opening win against Adrian Mannarino, the three-time Grand Slam winner lost to Caroline Garcia 6:1, 2:6, 2:6 despite leading the set. For Kerber it was the second defeat in the second singles after a year and a half of maternity leave.
The German team has its next opportunity in the decisive mixed doubles. Even in the event of a defeat against France, Kerber, Zverev and Co. would still have a chance of progressing after the 2-1 win over Italy on Saturday.
Kerber found his way into the game strongly and won the first set after just 24 minutes. But then the world number 20 was caught. Garcia and pushed her opponent onto the defensive with aggressive attacking play. Kerber, who gave birth to her daughter Liana in February, seemed to run out of strength at the end – after 1:32 hours she had to admit defeat.
Alexander Zverev defeated Adrian Mannarino at the United Cup: “He had me on the ropes”
Previously, Zverev had to fight hard in the 4:6, 6:4, 6:3 win over Adrian Mannarino. “It was an incredible match for Adrian, he had me on the ropes in the first one and a half sets,” said the Olympic champion: “I just fought and in the end it worked out for me. The matches against him are always extremely difficult.”
Zverev found himself against the world number 22. Mannarino, against whom he had previously won all eight duels, found it difficult to get into the game. After the consequent loss of the set, he threw his racket in frustration in the second round, but then found his game in time. In the crucial moments he took the serve from his opponent and marched to victory.
The United Cup will be held for the second time as the season opener. 18 national teams are competing in the mixed nations tournament in Perth and Sydney. The first in the six groups of three as well as the two best runners-up in the preliminary round qualify for the quarter-finals of the ten million dollar tournament at the beginning of January.
2024-01-01 11:16:00
#United #Cup #Angelique #Kerber #loses
