(Brisbane) Matteo Berrettini qualified Italy for the city final of the inaugural United Cup tournament by beating Norwegian world No.3 Casper Ruud on Tuesday in Brisbane, while Maria Sakkari helped Greece qualify.
Berrettini smashed Ruud once in each set for a clean 6-4, 6-4 win that gave Italy an unassailable 3-0 lead over Norway going into the second women’s singles and mixed doubles.
Italy will face either Poland or Switzerland in the Brisbane final, the winner of this game will be known later on Tuesday.
The winner of each city’s final in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth will play the semi-finals in Sydney, with the best performing team from among the beaten finalists.
Ruud, who had a brilliant 2022, started as a slight favorite, but Berrettini came into the game in great shape.
He served well throughout the game and his powerful shots from the baseline put enormous pressure on the Norwegian.
Berrettini hit 10 aces and eight forehand winners.
Lucia Bronzetti then made it 4-0 for the Italians with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Ulrikke Eikeri.
In Perth, world No.6 Sakkari qualified Greece for the final by beating Belgium’s Elise Mertens 6-1, 7-5.
The Greeks had to either win the game or lose 3-2 to qualify for the final against Croatia or France.
Sakkari’s point helped Greece win 2-1 and consolidate their position in the final.
In Sydney, the American Jessica Pegula, world No.3, largely beat the German Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-2.
Frances Tiafoe edged Oscar Otte 7-5, 6-4 as the Americans beat Germany 4-0.
The United States will play Great Britain in the Sydney City Final.
