The United States joined Great Britain as the first two teams to move on to the United Cup City Finals.
The American squad moved on in Group C, thanks to a pair of wins on Monday by Taylor Fritz and Madison Keys over Germany in the 18-team inaugural event being played across three cities in Australia.
Playing in Sydney, Fritz defeated Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-4. Zverev was taking part in just his second match since he tore ligaments in his right ankle during the semifinals of the French Open last spring. Keys defeated Jule Niemeier 6-2, 6-3 in the second of the two team events to cement Team USA’s berth.
Team USA will take on Great Britain, the other team in the Sydney pod, on Wednesday in the City Finals, with the winner advancing to the Final Four. Play in that round begins Friday in Sydney.
The other four teams to advance are still to be determined.
In the Perth grouping, the winner of Group F play between France and Croatia will move on to face either Greece or Belgium from Group A. Croatia needs just one win Tuesday in three scheduled matches to advance, but the path is more complex in Group A. Belgium must go at least 4-1 in match play, while Greece will advance under all other scenarios.
The nations currently are tied at 1-1 after Stefanos Tsitsipas topped Belgium’s David Goffin 6-3, 6-2. Alison Van Uytvanck kept Belgium alive with her 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 win over Greece’s Despina Papamichail.
In Brisbane, the winner of Group B between Poland and Switzerland will advance. In Group E, Norway has a chance to play spoiler. Already eliminated, Norway can send Brazil to the City Finals with a win over Italy. If Italy defeats the Norwegians, Italy will play in the Brisbane City Final.
Poland and Switzerland enter Tuesday’s play tied at 1-1 after the countries split. For the Swiss, Marc-Andrea Huesler defeated Daniel Michalski 6-3, 6-2. Poland’s Iga Swiatek dropped Belinda Bencic, also in straight sets.
–Field Level Media
