Australia exits to Germany in the United Cup semifinals after a trio of thrilling three-set matches at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Sydney, Australia, 6 January 2024 | Vivienne Christie
Australia’s inspired run at the United Cup has ended by the narrowest of margins in the semifinals, with Team Germany earning the chance to meet Team Poland in tomorrow’s final after a trio of three-set matches.
Victory for Germany was secured in the mixed doubles, when Laura Siegemund and Alexander Zverev saved two match points against Storm Hunter and Alexander Zverev to claim a 7-6(2) 6-7(2) [15-13] win after two hours and 19 minutes on court.
Ajla Tomljanovic and Alex de Minaur had lit up Ken Rosewall Arena earlier on Saturday evening with their passionate efforts to secure a finals berth for Australia.
But while it wasn’t quite enough for Tomljanovic to convert multiple match points against Angelique Kerber, De Minaur once against found a new level while competing for his nation.
After dropping the first set in the second singles match, the Sydneysider roared back to life with a comeback three-set victory over Alexander Zverev. It marked only his second win over the German in the eight times they have met.
It followed the 24-year-old’s first career win over world No.1 Novak Djokovic in the United Cup quarterfinals against Serbia, and another impressive win over top-10 ranked Taylor Fritz in the round-robin stage.
With victory over the higher-ranked Zverev, De Minaur will achieve another spectacular high as the newest member of the world’s top 10.
“It’s what I’ve worked so hard for, it’s another milestone,” he beamed after closing out the 5-7 6-3 6-4 win in two hours and 41 minutes.
“But the job’s not done … we keep improving, we keep working – it’s going to be a fun Aussie summer.”
Tomljanovic set the scene for a fighting performance for the host nation, as she played her heart out against the returning Angelique Kerber in the opening match.
The Australian dropped serve in the first game of the match but seized five straight games on her way to claiming a 6-4 win in the opening set.
After losses to Jasmine Paolini, Caroline Garcia and Maria Sakkari, Kerber was desperate to make a statement in her comeback. Shots started landing with more authority and accuracy for the German, who levelled the match by securing the second set.
The third set was one of the most absorbing contests of the Australian summer so…
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