The US has taken a 2-Zero lead over the Czech Republic on day one of many United Cup courtesy of wins by Taylor Fritz and Madison Keys.
World No.9 Fritz had a formidable 6-Three 6-Four victory over Jiri Lehecka to get the combined groups competitors below means in Sydney.
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Keys then accounted for Marie Bouzkova 6-Four 6-Three to offer the US an ideal begin.
Keys showcased her world No.11 standing by successful the massive factors. The 2017 US Open finalist broke Bouzkova within the 10th recreation of the primary set and the eighth recreation of the second, and held her subsequent service video games on each events.
The win continued the 27-year-old’s love affair with Australia; Keys’ semi-final end at the newest Australian Open was her finest end result at a grand slam since 2018 and adopted her triumph on the 2022 Adelaide Worldwide.
“I really like taking part in right here,” Keys mentioned.
“Whether or not it is the individuals or that I like taking part in within the warmth at first of the yr, it is quick and bouncy, it fits my recreation rather well.”
Fritz additionally got here to the fore when below stress.
Lehecka had break factors in Fritz’s opening two service video games within the second set however the American nailed his first ball every time to maintain the Czech at bay.
The set stayed on serve till the ninth recreation when Fritz took his alternative, serving it out in model with an ace on match level.
“Hopefully there are much more wins this week,” he mentioned.
“It is good to begin out 2-Zero on the day as nicely for the crew. We’re all right here to try to win it so it is a good way to begin.”
Fritz made his means into the highest 10 in October for the primary time in his profession in a yr the place he turned in his finest performances in grand slams. He reached the fourth spherical of the Australian Open and quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
The 25-year-old had an excellent 6-Three 7-6 win over Rafael Nadal at this yr’s Indian Wells Masters to verify his upward trajectory.
