United States, Poland, Greece and Italy in the last four

(Sydney) The United States, in force, Poland and Greece, in a fight, and Italy, drafted, qualified on Wednesday for the semi-finals of the first edition of the United Cup, a new mixed team competition which opens the 2023 tennis season in Australia.

The Americans were the first to get their ticket to the last four: in Sydney, they clearly dominated Great Britain (4-1) with the only defeat, that of Taylor Fritz (9^e world) against Cameron Norrie (14^e) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.

While qualification was already assured by the victories of Madison Keys (11^e) against Katie Swan (145^e) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, by Jessica Pegula (3^e) against Harriet Dart (98^e) 6-2, 6-0 and Frances Tiafoe (19^e) against Daniel Evans (27^e) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, Fritz comforted himself by winning the mixed doubles associated with Pegula.

The American pair outscored their British opponents of Dart and Evans 6-4, 6-4.

In the semis, the United States will face Poland.

The victory of the Poles against Italy (3-2), in Brisbane, took longer to take shape since the qualification was played in the decisive mixed doubles, quietly won by Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz at the expense of Camilla Rosatello and Lorenzo Musetti 6-1, 6-2.

But twice before, Italy had taken the lead.

Lorenzo Musetti (23^e) started by beating Daniel Michalski (260^e) 6-1, 6-1, before world No.1 Iga Swiatek tied the two teams by dominating Martina Trevisan (27^e) 6-2, 6-4.

Then Matteo Berrettini (16^e) put Italy back in a favorable position by overcoming Hurkacz (10^e) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, but Magda Linette (48^e) pushed the match to the decisive mixed doubles by taking the best of Lucia Bronzetti (54^e) 6-1, 6-2.

This hung defeat nevertheless allowed Italy to also qualify for the semi-finals as the best loser.

It will face Greece which snatched, in Perth, its qualification at the expense of Croatia (3-2) thanks to its shock duo Stefanos Tsitsipas (4^e) and Maria Sakkari (6^e).

Winners of their respective singles against Borna Coric (26^e) 6-0, 6-7 (4/7), 7-5 and Petra Martic (38^e) 6-3, 6-3, they joined forces to win the decisive mixed doubles – Croatians Donna Vekic and Borna Gojo having won the other two singles – against Martic and Gojo 7-6 (8/6), 6 -4.

Thursday will be a rest day to allow the teams to regroup in Sydney where the last matches will be played.