Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images
SYDNEY, Australia — The United States opened Day 1 of the United Cup with a pair of wins to take a 2-0 lead against the Czech Republic. American men’s #1 Taylor Fritz opened the tournament with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka. World No.11 Madison Keys followed with a 6-4, 6-3 win over No.24 Marie Bouzkova.
Taking advantage of the fast courts at Ken Rosewall Arena, Keys rallied from an early break in both sets to move her head-to-head record to 2-0 over Bouzkova. Both wins came on Australian hard courts, with Keys winning her first meeting on her run to the Brisbane final in 2020.
Keys showed little sign of rust in her first game of the season. After losing her serve rhythm to give Bouzkova an early break at 2-1, Keys dialed in her discipline and patience to methodically break through the Czech’s defence. She broke back with a measured forehand blast to level at 2-2 and broke Bouzkova again to seal the opening set after 41 minutes.
With a set in hand, Keys’ strong serve won the day. The American faced just two break points on the day, although Bouzkova clinically converted both chances, generating six chances of her own. After breaking Bouzkova’s serve for the fourth and final time – on a driving net-rope winner – Keys served up the 80-minute victory.
In the first game of the day, Fritz wasted little time in earning his first win of the season. The ATP World No.9 outlasted the 21-year-old Lehecka in the baseline exchanges, showing excellent footwork to dictate his forehand throughout the 75-minute clash. Fritz saved both break points he faced in his first ATP Head2Head meeting against Lehecka.
Fritz enters the 2023 season on the back of a career-best that saw him win three tour titles and crack the Top 10 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time. Lehecka also enjoyed an excellent season in 2022, reaching his maiden tour-level semi-final in Rotterdam before advancing to the championship match at the Next Gen ATP Finals.
Team USA is one win away from sealing the tie, which will resume on Friday. World No.3 Jessica Pegula can seal the victory when she faces No.16 Petra Kvitova in the battle of singles No.1s. After that match, No.18 Frances Tiafoe will face Tomas Machac. If the Czechs secure two wins, the tie will be decided by one mixed doubles match.
“I’ve known all these friends for a really long time, so it’s great to compete together in a format we’ve never competed in together,” Keys said. “So far so good. Excited to cheer on Frances and Jessica tomorrow.”
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The United Cup is a new mixed team event featuring 18 countries across Brisbane, Perth and Sydney. To see also : John Wall to Clippers is Official, Klutch Sports Says. Played over two days, ties will consist of two ATP and two WTA singles matches and one mixed doubles match.
The ATP Tour contributed to this report.
