Germany triumphed at the United Cup, thanks above all to the performances of Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber. Their path was amazing. Just think about the qualification for the quarter-finals obtained at the last minute as the best second among the teams that played in Sydney. Or the match points saved by Angelique Kerber in the semifinal against Ajla Tomljanovic and the two championship points canceled out by Alexander Zverev to Hubert Hurkacz, in the final of the tournament. Then the memorable mixed doubles matches. The German team had to overcome a number of challenges to beat Poland in the final and win the second edition of the United Cup.
“I think this format, especially after playing six matches in the last three days, is probably more complicated than a Slam. In a Slam you could play five sets, it’s true, but you always have a day of rest to recover. You don’t have time here. Yesterday I went to sleep around 05:30 in the morning (local time – ed.). Mentally it is a difficult event to manage. Seeing this trophy and my teammates, however, I am convinced that it was worth it. We are really happy,” said Zverev at the press conference.
Germany United Cup© Brendon Thorne / Stringer Getty Images Sport
Kerber, for her part, has rediscovered the joy of competing and winning a trophy in the Tour: “I couldn’t have imagined a better return. I played five tough matches and I had no idea the conditions I would find myself in. Yesterday I felt great on the pitch. It was ten fantastic days. That’s all I was missing. I missed playing in front of the crowd. Representing Germany, especially with such a special team, is always an honor. Now I know where I stand before the Australian Open. We must be proud of the way we played, especially Zverev!”
Germany United Cup 2024© Mark Evans / Stringer Getty Images Sport
It is impossible not to mention the fundamental contribution of Laura Siegemund. The German, paired with Zverev, brought all the mixed doubles matches to her side. “Yes, I was very excited when I entered the pitch. I thought about all the match points canceled out first by Angie Kerber, and then by Sascha Zverev. When she knocked out two championship points against Hurkacz, I thought: Somehow we have to do it and win. These are the games you can’t miss. We kept our concentration high from the start, we’re a great doubles pair,” she explained.
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