United Cup

[jimlosaltos]

Finals start shortly with the field narrowed from 18 to Poland vs Germany.

Womens singles up first:

Iga Swiatek (POL) vs. Angelique Kerber (GER), 5:30 p.m. Sydney time (1:30 a.m. ET)

The World No. 1 Swiatek will meet the German lefty Kerber, who earned the first win of her comeback in a dramatic three-set victory Saturday.

Then Zverev vs Hubi with showcase two of the best servers on the ATP.

Kerber, a former World No. 1 who is returning from an 18-month maternity layoff, fended off two match points to defeat Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in the semi-final round. Kerber's next task? Facing four-time major champion Swiatek in a match that is sure to provide exciting, lung-busting rallies.

Swiatek has dropped just one set all week, with wins coming over Caroline Garcia, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Sara Sorribes Tormo and Zheng Qinwen. Riding a 15-match winning streak, Swiatek's domination led Germany’s Zverev to joke, “Iga is basically a cheat code at the United Cup a little bit, or has been so far. Hopefully we can change that tomorrow.”

[jimlosaltos]

And Germany comes from behind to upset Poland for the title. Big serve shoot-out Between Zverv & Hubi.

Zverev looked very strong this week (despite one loss that to Demon, who's on a special roll) & Iga looks unstoppable.

United Cup: "Just 20 hours after Zverev led Germany to the United Cup final by winning a deciding mixed doubles match with Siegemund against Australia, the two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion kept his country’s dreams alive once again on Sunday.

Zverev saved two match points to stun Hurkacz 6-7(3), 7-6(6), 6-4, forcing a deciding mixed doubles in the championship clash against Poland. WTA No. 1 Swiatek defeated Kerber earlier in the evening.

"I have absolutely no idea [how I won]. Also I saved a match point hitting a passing shot this much on the line, so this is how tennis goes sometimes," Zverev said. "You win and lose by millimetres and today I was lucky enough in a way. But obviously it's not over yet. We still have mixed doubles to play and we'll see how that goes."

https://www.unitedcup.com/en/media/news/poland-germany-united-cup-2024-final

[stroke]

Yes Zverev is playing well. He is definitely in the mix for a big tournament win at some point. That being said, as a tennis player, would any of us ever think in our dreams we would like the have his skill set rather than Grigors?

[jimlosaltos]

Yes Zverev is playing well. He is definitely in the mix for a big tournament win at some point. That being said, as a tennis player, would any of us ever think in our dreams we would like the have his skill set rather than Grigors?

Interesting question. Grigor's game is certainly more aesthetically pleasing and well rounded. But Zverev's serve, return and backhand are pretty good.
Good enough for 11 wins over the Big 3 including 4 over Djokovic.
Both players would likely have had more wins over the Big 3 in their very early years if their nerve had just held.

[stroke]

Interesting question. Grigor's game is certainly more aesthetically pleasing and well rounded. But Zverev's serve, return and backhand are pretty good.
Good enough for 11 wins over the Big 3 including 4 over Djokovic.
Both players would likely have had more wins over the Big 3 in their very early years if their nerve had just held.

The ol ultimate litmus test, which all have not passed..

[jimlosaltos]

The ol ultimate litmus test, which all have not passed..

Hah! Yup. Reminds me of Gandalf from Lord of the Rings, "Thou Shalt Not Pass"