Jason Kubler continues his perfect start to the season with an upset of higher-ranked Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas at the United Cup.
Sydney, Australia, 3 January 2023 | AAP
Jason Kubler has risen to the occasion once more to send Australia’s United Cup tie against Spain into a mixed doubles decider.
Kubler scored a spirited 6-3 4-6 6-3 win over the higher-ranked Albert Ramos-Vinolas on Tuesday night to lock the Sydney tie up two rubbers apiece.
Kubler’s victory, four nights after an equally rousing win over Britain’s Dan Evans, gives playing co-captain Sam Stosur and Tokyo Olympics mixed bronze medallist John Peers the chance to seal Australia’s historic first United Cup tie.
“It’s unbelievable for me for me to have two of my best wins here in Australia, it’s really special,” said Kubler, who has relished the time spent with Australian team-mates in Sydney.
“But also, off the court it’s been special. I got to hang out with all the Australians. Got to even get even closer with some of the people I didn’t know as well. But also, strengthen friendships and, you know, have the feeling that we have each other’s backs.”.
That is one happy captain 😝@lleytonhewitt toasts another memorable victory from Kubler#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/sU7NZ7QrWd
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 3, 2023
Stosur and Peers will play Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and David Vega Hernandez in the deciding rubber at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Emerging star Olivia Gadecki earlier made hes United Cup debut, losing 6-2 6-2 to the 193rd-ranked Bouzas Maneiro to leave Australia trailing 2-1.
The tie was locked at one match apiece after Alex de Minaur upset Rafael Nadal on Monday night, before Maddison Inglis lost to Nuria Parrizas Diaz to level proceedings.
A late call-up to replace the injured Zoe Hives, Gadecki was making her first appearance in the green and gold since a Billie Jean King Cup doubles debut in November 2021.
Formerly coached by David Taylor, the esteemed ex-mentor of Samantha Stosur, Alicia Molik, Martina Hingis and Naomi Osaka, Gadecki made a swift rise up the rankings to a career-high No.156 in July last year.
Ash Barty has also taken Gadecki under her wing and will be courtside for her AO main-draw debut at Melbourne Park, after the 20-year-old was handed a wildcard entry from Tennis Australia.
While Gadecki has fallen out of the women’s top 200, Kubler is set to soar to a new career-high ranking of…
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