Fritz, Sabalenka Team Up To Win Eisenhower Cup At Indian Wells - UBITENNIS

Fritz, Sabalenka Team Up To Win Eisenhower Cup At Indian Wells

By Adam Addicott
4 Min Read

Taylor Fritz received a confidence boost ahead of his title defence at the BNP Paribas Open after winning a mixed doubles event staged at the tournament alongside Aryna Sabalenka. 

The Eisenhower Cup is a fundraising event where all proceeds from ticket sales are donated to local charities. Although it is not the first time the one-day event has been held, 2023 was the first time organizers changed its format to mixed doubles. Matches were played according to Tie Break Tens rules where the winners are the first to 10 points with at least a two-point margin. 

The event featured a series of big names in the draw that included world No.1 Iga Swiatek, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Ons Jabeur and Casper Ruud. Although it was the pairing of Fritz and Sabalenka who triumphed and took home a prize of $200,000. 

“This is a new team, a new partnership. But it’s working well so far.” Fritz said afterwards. 

Nicknamed ‘Team Forehand Fear,’ the champions began their quest with a 10-4 win over the Swiss duo of Belinda Bencic and Stan Wawrinka. Then in the semi-finals, they edged their way past Rudd and Jabeur 10-8 before ousting Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz with the same score to clinch the title. Besides receiving prize money, Fritz and Sabalenka were also presented with a trophy which is a smaller replica of what the singles champion wins at Indian Wells.

“We’re really happy,” Fritz commented. “We said before the night started that we really wanted to come out and win and we played really well against a lot of great players and great teams.”

Both players are hoping to use the event as a springboard to shine at Indian Wells which is categorized as a Masters event for the men and as a WTA 1000 for the women. Fritz is the defending champion and needs to produce a deep run to maintain his position inside the world’s top five. Meanwhile, Sabalenka is hoping to continue her impressive start to the season when she won two Tour titles, including her first Grand Slam at the Australian Open. 

“I’m really happy to be here,” Sabalenka said. “I’m looking forward to the first match. I feel good.”

There was one notable absence with Emma Raducanu pulling out of the event. The former US Open champion also cancelled a practice session she planned to do that same day. Raducanu also pulled out of last week’s Austin Open due to tonsillitis and has not played since the Australian Open in January. She is scheduled to start her Indian Wells campaign on Thursday against Danka Kovinic. 

 Eisenhower Cup results in full

Quarterfinal A

Maria Sakkari & Stefanos Tsitsipas  d. Paula Badosa & Cameron Norrie (Team October Champs) 12-10

Quarterfinal B

Iga Swiatek & Hubert Hurkacz (Team Polish Power) d. Leylah Fernandez & Felix Auger-Alissime (Team Québ´cois) 10-6

Quarterfinal C

Ons Jabeur & Casper Ruud (Team Slam Runners-Up) d. Jessica Pegula & Tommy Paul (Team All-American) 10-5

Quarterfinal D

Aryna Sabalenka & Taylor Fritz (Team Forehand Fear) d. Belinda Bencic & Stan Wawrinka (Team Swiss Gold) 10-4

Semifinal A

Iga Swiatek & Hubert Hurkacz (Team Polish Power) d. Maria Sakkari & Stefanos Tsitsipas (Team Greek Freaks) 10-7

Semifinal B

Aryna Sabalenka & Taylor Fritz (Team Forehand Fear) d. Ons Jabeur & Casper Ruud (Team Slam Runners-Up) 10-8

Final

Aryna Sabalenka & Taylor Fritz (Team Forehand Fear) d. Iga Swiatek & Hubert Hurkacz (Team Polish Power) 10-8

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