US end Great Britain’s surprise run in United Cup quarter- finals
GREAT BRITAIN are out of the United Cup after being beaten by the United States in Sydney. Dan Evans’ 3- 6, 7- 5, 6- 3, loss to Frances Tiafoe gave the US an unassailable 3- 1 lead in their “city final” tie at Ken Rosewall Arena, sending them through to the semi- finals that begin tomorrow, where they will face Poland.
As well as the three city final winners, the best runners- up also advance. GB had proved something of a surprise in the event, having knocked out hosts Australia and then Rafael Nadal’s Spain, but they had a poor win- loss record in the group stage which meant they would not be that team, with the mixed doubles contest of Evans and Harriet Dart against Taylor Fritz and Jennifer Pegula to conclude the tie being rendered a dead rubber.
Katie Swan had lost the opening match to Madison Keys 2- 6, 6- 3, 6- 4, before British No. 1 Cameron Norrie levelled with a 6- 4, 5- 7, 6- 4, victory over Fritz over two hours and 15 minutes.
World No. 3 Pegula subsequently took 57 minutes to beat Dart 6- 2, 6- 0, and put the US in front again before Evans’ defeat to Tiafoe confirmed Britain’s elimination.
“I think Madi really set the tone with her match,” Pegula said. “I think I did everything really well today. I could feel it. Some days you come out firing and you feel really good. I was honestly trying to settle myself down because I was seeing the ball really well today.”
The mixed doubles match ended in victory for the US as well, for a final score of 4- 1, as Fritz and Pegula triumphed 6- 4, 6- 4.
Meanwhile, Great Britain’s Jack Draper bowed out in the Adelaide International last 16 with a straightsets defeat to Karen Khachanov.
Last year’s US Open saw Draper leading Khachanov by a break in the third set of their third- round clash, before having to retire from the match due to injury. However, on this occasion the 21- year- old Next Gen ATP Finals competitor was unable to register a break against the Russian, who won 6- 4, 6- 2, and will now face compatriot Daniil Medvedev.
Khachanov said: “To be honest I was expecting a very tough match against Jack because we had a good battle in the US Open, which unfortunately finished not in the way I wanted, but he retired in the end of the third set.
“He’s on a good run, he’s a good rising- up player, younger than me. To be honest with you from the beginning until the end, I played a very solid match, very good performance from my side.”
In other news, Novak Djokovic is again set to miss Indian Wells and the Miami Open after United States travel authorities extended the requirement for non- US nationals to be vaccinated.
Although coronavirus rules have been relaxed or removed in many countries, proof of vaccination will be needed to enter the United States until at least April 10.
Indian Wells and the Miami Open, two of the most prestigious events on the calendar outside the Grand Slams, begin on March 6 and March 20 respectively.
Djokovic has refused to get vaccinated and was detained in an immigration hotel on arrival in Australia 12 months ago.
The 21- time Grand Slam champion was then deported after his visa was cancelled by the immigration minister, who decided Djokovic’s presence could stoke anti- vaccine sentiment.
With vaccination against Covid- 19 no longer required to enter Australia, Djokovic successfully challenged a three- year ban on applying for a visa and got his season under way in Adelaide this week.