United Cup: Sakkari and Tsitsipas help Greece to victory against Spain

Stefanos Tsitsipas pulled double duty Saturday in Perth to seal a 2-1 victory for Spain in Group C action.

In a nervy winner-takes-all mixed doubles rubber, it was the Greek duo who held their nerve, defeating Sergio Martos Gornes and Yvonne Cavalle Reimers 4-6, 6-3, 10-6 to knock Spain out of the tournament.

“We came clutch when we had to; that tie-break was very good from our side,” Sakkari said. “It’s always amazing to play alongside Stefanos and create good moments on the court.”

“There isn’t a single Greek night without some drama,” said Tsitsipas. “I’m super grateful that I have a fighter like Maria beside me. She never disappoints, she delivered until the end.”

Sakkari made amends for her earlier singles loss by finding her best tennis in the latter stages of the Match Tie-break. The 29-year-old stood firm, holding two serves from 7-6 against the oncoming Martos Gornes, striking a winner past the Spaniard to bring up three match points, which they converted at the first attempt.

Greece will aim to finish top of Group C when it faces Kazakhstan on Monday.

Elsewhere, Argentina defeated Australia 2-1 Saturday evening at Ken Rosewall Arena to disappoint the Australian crowd and dent the home side’s chances of lifting its first trophy at the mixed-teams event.

Alex de Minaur produced a nearly flawless performance to force a deciding mixed doubles clash in front of a raucous crowd. But Maria Lourdes Carle and Tomas Martin Etcheverry responded well, beating doubles standouts Matthew Ebden and Ellen Perez 6-2, 6-4 to seal their country’s victory.

Earlier, Leylah Fernandez pulled double duty at the United Cup on Saturday to lead Canada to victory over Croatia. Fernandez opened Day 2 by handing Donna Vekic her first career United Cup singles defeat with a 6-4, 6-3 opening victory in Perth.

Croatia bounced back with an inspired comeback from Borna Coric to level the tie, but Fernandez and Felix Auger-Aliassime bested Iva Dodig and Lucija Ciric Bagaric 6-3, 6-4 to give Canada a 1-0 record in Group A.

Canada will be back on court on Sunday when it takes on top seeds USA at RAC Arena.