Reigning Olympic champion Alexander Zverev saved two match factors in a exceptional comeback to win his singles tie in an epic three-setter after which helped clinch the United Cup remaining for Germany within the deciding combined doubles match on Sunday.
The sixth-ranked Zverev confirmed loads of stamina in getting back from the earlier night time’s early morning end to rally from a set down and two match factors and defeat the No. 9-ranked Hurkacz 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 in a three-hour epic at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney.
Then enjoying his sixth match in three days, together with a 2.20 a.m. native time end on Sunday in Germany’s marathon semifinal victory over Australia, Zverev partnered with Laura Siegemund to win the combined doubles 6-4, 5-7, 10-4 in a brilliant tiebreaker towards Iga Swiatek and Hurkacz.
Fittingly, the successful shot was off Zverev’s raquet as his backhand volley winner clinched for Germany what had appeared an unlikely United Cup title after nail-biting victories within the semifinal and in Sunday’s remaining.
Earlier, top-ranked girl Swiatek had given Poland an early lead with a straight-sets win towards Angelique Kerber.
Thre 22-year-old Swiatek beat Kerber 6-3, 6-0 in 70 minutes to stretch her win-streak to 16 matches, after the four-time main winner completed 2023 with title wins on the China Open and the WTA Finals in Mexico.
Swiatek’s victory meant Poland wanted only one extra win from the remaining mens singles or combined doubles match to assert the United Cup.
Hurkacz appeared to have Poland effectively on the best way for its maiden group title as he led Zverev by a set and 6-4 within the second set tiebreaker.
Somehow Zverev discovered the vitality and an outstanding operating cross-court forehand that clipped the road to maintain Germany within the tie.
He then served out the second set to stage the match and clinched the deciding set with a break within the third recreation to shut out an exciting contest in slightly below three hours.
“I mean, also I saved a match for hitting a passing shot this much on the line,” Zverev said. “So this is how tennis goes sometimes. You win and lose by millimetres sometimes.
Earlier, Kerber, who saved two match points against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in the semifinal on the way to her first singles win since returning from the birth of her first child, provided a stern test for Swiatek in a tight opening set.
The former top-ranked player had break point opportunities on Swiatek’s serve in the fourth and sixth games but was unable to convert as the Polish player scrambled through to hold.
The 22-year-old Swiatek took her opportunity to seize the advantage in the seventh game and clinched the set in 48 minutes.
Swiatek stepped up a gear in the second as she broke the three-time major winner three times to close out her fifth consecutive win this week and leave Poland just one win away from a maiden team event title.
“I’m really proud of myself that I could win all my singles,” Swiatek stated post-match. ”(Kerber) was actually choosing the right spot to play and she or he stunned me generally in the beginning of the set together with her choice making and decisions.
“I knew that she might play like that, however I didn’t have a lot time to get into the rhythm as a result of she was actually aiming for, generally, these balls inside-out, and it was fairly onerous.”