Greece beat Spain 2-1 in Group C of the United Cup in Perth.
Maria Sakkari was surprisingly beaten by Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2 6-1 after 72 minutes in the women’s singles match.
Maneiro broke Sakkari in all but one service game, converting seven of her thirteen break points. She fired a forehand winner to earn three match points and broke Sakkari’s serve with a backhand winner that clipped the line. Sakkari served at just 46% and misfired on 29 unforced errors.
Bouzas Maneiro earned the third top 50 win of her career after beating Marketa Vondrousova in the first round at Wimbledon and Katie Boulter at the US Open in 2024. The Spanish player has improved her career record at the United Cup to 2-1.
“I am super happy with ny performance today. Yesterday was tough for me, the first match, but I felt really well today”, said Bouzas Maneiro.
Stefanos Tsitsipas edged past Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4 4-6 6-4 in the men’s singles match to level the tie to 1-1 forcing the tie to a decisive mixed doubles match. Tsitsipas broke serve in the 10th game to win the first set 6-4.
Carreno Busta earned his first break in the ninth game and served out on his second set point to seal the second set 6-4.
Tsitsipas went down a break in the first game of the decisive set, but he broke straight back in the second game. Tsitsipas earned a second break in the sixth game to win the third set 6-4 improving his record in United Cup matches to six wins to one defeat.
“I am happy that I found a way. In a position when you are doubting in your choices but somehow trying to find a way, that’s the moment that I am most proud of. I just hope to come out here and represent Greece in the best possible way”, said Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas and Sakkari teamed up, as they came back from one set down to beat Sergio Martos Gomes and Yvonne Cavalle Reimers 4-6 6-3 10-6 in the mixed doubles match.
Gomes and Cavalle Reimers broke serve in the seventh game to win the first set 6-4. The Spanish team saved four break points in the second game before breaking serve in the fourth game to win the second set 6-3 forcing the match to the Match tie-break. After a trade of mini-breaks Tsitsipas and Sakkari earned two mini-breaks to win the Match tie-break 10-6.
“We came clutch when we had to, that tie-break was very good from our side. It’s always amazing to play alongside Stefanos and create good moments on the court”, said Sakkari.
“There is not a single Greek night without some drama. I am super grateful and I have a fighter like Maria beside me. She never disappoints, she delivered until the end”, said Tsitsipas.
