2023-12-31 12:42:02
SYDNEY (AP) — Former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez led Canada to a 2-1 victory over Chile in their United Cup opener on Sunday.
Fernandez beat Daniela Seguel 6-3, 6-2 before Nicolás Jarry leveled the Group B clash by disposing of Steven Diez in straight sets in Sydney. Diez replaced Felix Auger-Aliassime, who rested due to minor knee discomfort.
Fernandez and Diez achieved the final point in the mixed doubles match once morest Seguel and Tomás Barrios Vera by winning 7-5, 4-6, 10-8.
“I’m very happy with how I played,” said Fernandez, world number 35, following her 73-minute clash once morest Seguel. “It wasn’t the best match because it’s the first one I’ve played this season, the nerves, but I’m very happy with the way I handled it.”
In Perth, the British Katie Boulter surprised Jessica Pegula, 5th in the WTA rankings, with a comeback that earned her a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory in a Group C match that lasted almost three hours.
The Americans evened the duel thanks to the victory of Taylor Fritz (10th) over Cameron Norrie 7-6 (5), 6-4, before Pegula and Fritz joined forces to overcome Boulter and Neal Skupski 1-6, 7- 6 (4), 10-7 and decide the tie on the side of the defending champions.
The United States will advance to the quarterfinals if it wins its final match once morest Australia. All three countries have a chance to qualify if the Australians win.
Later in the day, Novak Djokovic, who leads the men’s ladder, will return to play in Perth for the first time since the 2013 Hopman Cup to lead Serbia in their first Group E matchup once morest China’s Zhang Zhizhen.
China beat the Czech Republic 3-0 and if it beats Serbia it will advance to the next round.
Mixed teams from 18 countries meet in Perth and Sydney in a competition that serves as a preparation for the first grand slam of the year, the Australian Open. The format includes a men’s and women’s singles match, in addition to mixed doubles.
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