Team United States sealed its spot in the United Cup Final Four Wednesday when Frances Tiafoe rallied past Daniel Evans 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 to give his nation an unassailable 3-1 lead against Great Britain in the Sydney City Final.
Walking onto court with the United States leading 2-1, Tiafoe showcased his all-court game to improve to 3-0 on the season. The World No. 19 timed his forehand cleanly to pull Evans around and he looked comfortable moving forward, clinically finishing points at the net on Ken Rosewall Arena.
In a tense deciding set, Tiafoe kept up his intensity and aggression in the crucial moments to frustrate Evans, earning the decisive break in the fifth game. With his two-hour, 11-minute win, the 24-year-old increased his ATP Head2Head series lead against World No. 27 Evans to 4-2.
Tiafoe has won all three matches he has played this season, also beating Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac and Germany’s Oscar Otte.
United States then rounded off its victory when Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula overcame Harriet Dart and Daniel Evans 6-4, 6-4 in 72 minutes.
The United Cup Final Four commences in Sydney on Friday. The best runner-up from across the three City Finals will also progress to Ken Rosewall Arena.
Earlier, World No. 3 Pegula had given the United States a 2-1 lead when she produced a masterclass display to defeat Dart 6-2, 6-0 in 57 minutes.
“I think Madi really set the tone with her match,” Pegula said. “I think I did everything really well today. I could feel it. Some days you come out firing and you feel really good. I was honestly trying to settle myself down because I was seeing the ball really well today.”
In the afternoon session, Madison Keys moved her nation ahead after rallying from a set down to defeat Katie Swan 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. World No. 14 Cameron Norrie had the perfect response, putting Great Britain on the board with a clutch 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 win against World No. 9 Fritz.
[ATP APP]
View the full semi-final schedule below.
ORDER OF PLAY – FRIDAY, JANUARY 06, 2023
KEN ROSEWALL ARENA start 1:00 pm
[2] I. Swiatek (POL) vs [3] J. Pegula (USA)
[2] D. Michalski (POL) vs [3] F. Tiafoe (USA)
Not Before 7:00 pm
[1] M. Sakkari (GRE) vs [5] M. Trevisan (ITA)
[1] M. Pervolarakis (GRE) vs [5] L. Musetti (ITA)
ORDER OF PLAY – SATURDAY, JANUARY 07, 2023
KEN ROSEWALL ARENA start 10:00 am
[2] H. Hurkacz (POL) vs [3] T. Fritz (USA)
[2] M. Linette (POL) vs [3] M. Keys (USA)
Mixed Doubles Match: POL vs USA
Not Before 5:00 pm
[1] S. Tsitsipas (GRE) vs [5] M. Berrettini (ITA)
[1] D. Papamichail (GRE) vs [5] L. Bronzetti (ITA)
Mixed Doubles Match: GRE vs ITA