Defending champions Germany started their United Cup campaign, as Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund earned a 3-0 win over Brazil in Group E at the RAK Arena in Perth.
Former top 30 Siegemund overcame Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-3 1-6 6-4 in 2 hours and 33 minutes in Germany’s first match at this event. Siegemund improved to 4-1 over Haddad Maia in their five head-to-head matches.
Haddad Maia earned an early break to open up a 3-1 lead in the first set. Siegemund reeled off five consecutive games to win the first set 6-3.
Haddad Maia started the second set with an early break in the first game and saved three break points to hold serve at deuce in the fourth game. The Brazilian player earned two breaks in the fifth and seventh games to win the second set 6-1.
Siegemund broke Haddad Maia in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. Haddad Maia broke straight back in the eighth game to draw level to 4-4. Siegemund earned the decisive break in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead and served out the match at love.
“The match today was not perfect. For nobody it is at the beginning of the year, but I tried to stay positive, and hopefully that’s giving me some confidence for the next matches”, said Siegemund.
Alexander Zverev earned immediate breaks in the first games of each sets to beat Thiago Monteiro 6-4 6-4. Zverev fired 11 aces and dropped just three points on his first serve. The 23-time ATP Tour player led Germany to the United Cup title last year, when the German team won four of the five ties en route to the title against Poland in the
Siegemund teamed with Tim Puetz to beat Rafael Matos and Carolina Alves 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 in the mixed doubles match completing a 3-0 sweep.
Siegemund claimed the 20th top 20 win of her career over Haddad Maia. “It’s the first match of the year against such a great player. It’s not easy. I had to pull my best game. I just to focus on that and stay cool in the big moments”, said Siegemund.
