United Cup: Argentina don’t raise the bar and now it was Croatia who struck another blow

Argentina fails to straighten the path in united cup, the new mixed team event that kicked off the 2023 tennis season in Australia. The Biancoceleste team was 0-2 down at the start of the series against Croatiafor group F, on a day in which the two stars of the tournament made their debut, with ups and downs: defeat by Rafael Nadal and victory of Iga Swiatek.

In the first duel of the afternoon, in Perth, Lourdes Charles (147th in women’s ranking) she lost to 6-0 and 6-4 Vekic woman (67th). And later, Francis Cerundolo (30th in the men’s standings) fell 7-5 and 6-4 against Born Coric (26th).

Thus, the Argentines have exhausted the chances of winning the zone and entering the semifinals, even if they take the other two singles and mixed doubles against the Croatians, which will be played this Sunday. If so they would be left with a 3-7 record (they had lost 5-0 with France debut) and it would not be enough for him to overtake his rivals in the event of a triple tie for first place, which would happen if Coric and company beat the French between Monday and Tuesday.

Carlé could do nothing in the first set of her match against a relentless Vekic. The Croatian set the pace and set the conditions with almost seamless tennis: she committed only one unforced error throughout the opening chapter and gave up just five points.

The 22-year-old from Buenos Aires didn’t give up and started playing better in the second set, making the most of her slice shots, and the match got more fun. They even went up 3-2, after the break in the fifth game, and had two points to confirm the lead. But the Croatian reacted and, even if she had to struggle to seal the victory, she did it a few games later, with another break.

Cerúndolo also fought in his match against Coric, in which he showed much better tennis than in his first match of the tournament (he lost 6-4 and 6-2 against the French Arthur Rinderknech).

The Croatian, this year’s champion Cincinnati Masters 1000He knew how to defend himself very well in the moments in which the Argentine took the initiative and raised eight of the ten break points he faced during the match.

The Argentine, who won his first ATP title this year in enough, had his best chance in the second quarter, in which he took the lead 3-1 and then started to show his best level. But Coric, led by his captain VAT Maioli (sample of Roland Garros in 1997), began to attack more and managed to turn the story of the set and take the victory, after more than two hours of play.

This Sunday, Nadia Podoroska (195th, but whoever plays with a protected ranking of 39th) will collide Petra Kvitova (16th) in the first point, from 6.30. Not before 8, Frederick Coria (75°) will be measured with Born Gojo (144th). And then, Podoroska and Cerúndolo will close against Vekic and Coric, in the duo duel.

Fall of Nadal, celebration of Swiatek

Rafael Nadal He started his season on the wrong foot. The Spaniards, number two in the world, fell to the British Cameron Norie14th in the standings, by 3-6, 6-3 and 6-4 in the opener of a series for the group D of the contest, in Sydney.

“It’s not disastrous, not at all. I can and must do better, but I’ve already said it, I haven’t played much so far. I think he played two days ago and that’s an advantage,” said the Spaniard, who is preparing to defend the title conquered last year in the first Grand Slam of the year.

Rafa, who will seek his 23rd major title at the Australian Open, was complicated by his first serve, which cost him a first loss to Norrie in their fifth fight.

Like Argentina, Spain will have to overcome the 0-2 this Sunday, because at the second point of the match, katy swan (145th) won against 3-6, 6-1 and 6-2 Nuria Parriza Diaz (70th).

Who did not give rise to surprises was Iga Swiatekthat has passed Yulia Putintseva (51st) in the second game of the clash between Poland Y kazakhstanfor group B, in Brisbane.

The number 1 in the world – who in 2022 has won eight titles, Doha, Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart, Rome, Roland Garrosthe US Open and San Diego – broke serve three times in the first set and twice in the second to completely defeat the opponent in just 64 minutes.

“I’m very happy. The first games of the season are always a little more difficult, so I’m happy I was very calm in the important moments,” said the player who drew the match against the Kazakhs 1-1.

Is that in the first round, Timofey Skatov (142nd) beat him 7-6 (7-2) and 6-2 Daniel Michalsky (260°), to carry forward the Asian team.

For group C, in Sydney, Czech Republic was 2-0 against Germanythanks to the victories of Maria Bouzkova (24th) for 6-2 and 7-5 against jule niemeier (65°) e Jiri Lehecka (81st) for 6-4 and 6-2 against Alexander Zverev (12th).

Brazil started with all his shock before Norwayfor group E in Brisbane, and went ahead 2-0. Beatrice Haddad Maia (15th) beat him 6-4 and 6-2 at Malene Helgo (319th) e Philip Meligeni (166°), from 6-3 and 6-3 to Viktor Durasovich (343rd).

It’s inside Perthfor group A, Belgium Y Bulgaria also 1-1. Grigor Dimitrov (28th) gave the Bulgarians their first point by beating 6-4, 7-5 against David Goffin (53°); Y Alison Van Uytvanck (72nd) tied the game with a 6-1, 3-6 and 6-3 against Isabella Shinikova (381st).

All series will be completed this Sunday.