Zverev answers SOS call to put Germany into semi-final against Australia

Alexander Zverev has come to Germany’s rescue to set up an enticing United Cup semi-final with Australia in Sydney.

Zverev entered the fray with Germany trailing Greece 1-0 in Friday night’s last remaining quarter-final at Ken Rosewall Arena before turning the tie around with ice-cool singles and doubles victories.

In a heavyweight battle between the two most accomplished men’s players yet to win a grand slam title, Zverev prevailed 6-4 6-4 over 2023 Australian Open runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas to level the best-of-three-match tie at 1-1 apiece.

Maria Sakkari had struck the first blow for Greece with a crushing win over former Australian Open champion and world No.1 Angelique Kerber.

Sakkari blew the returning Kerber off centre court in little more than an hour with a 6-0 6-3 demolition job to pile the pressure on Zverev.

But once again the tennis ironman delivered.

Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund of Germany celebrate victory against Petros Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari of Greece.Credit: Getty Images

While Tsitsipas, troubled by a sore back, handed the baton over to younger brother Petros to partner Sakkari in the mixed doubles, Zverev stepped up alongside veteran Laura Siegemund as they carved out a decisive 6-3 6-3 victory.

“This is a team competition and if it’s one-all, of course, I’ll be on the court,” Zverev said.

“Today with Laura, obviously, I was kind of taking the back seat and just enjoying the show at times. So that was quite fun.

“But I think the whole team is just extremely happy to be in the semi-finals. A few days ago, we didn’t know whether we were going to be be in the quarter-finals or not.

Germany’s Laura Siegemund and Alexander Zverev are congratulated by Maria Sakkari and Petros Tsitsipas.Credit: AP

“But I told the team, ‘Listen, we deserve to be’.

“I feel like we played two great group matches and a great quarter-finals.”

Zverev remains unbeaten in the season-opening $15 million mixed teams’ event after following up must-win successes over Adrian Mannarino and Lorenzo Sonego to again keep Germany’s title hopes alive and further boost his confidence ahead of this month’s Australian Open.

“I had to come out aggressive. I knew that,” the world No.7 said of his game plan to topple the fifth-ranked Tsitsipas for a fifth time in 14 encounters.

Alexander Zverev shakes hands with Stefanos Tsitsipas.Credit: Getty Images

“He is one of the best, maybe the best aggressive players in the game. If he’s on the front foot, it’s extremely difficult to play against him.”

Sakkari’s earlier one-sided victory left Kerber’s Open preparations in tatters.

Sakkari had lost three of her four previous career meetings with Kerber.

But those defeats came before her rise to the world’s top 10 and 35-year-old Kerber’s time out to start a family.

Maria Sakkari defeated former Australian Open champion and world No.1 Angelique Kerber.Credit: Getty Images

The world No.8’s clinical display offered the German a harsh reality check in the first event of her comeback from maternity leave. It follows previous losses in her winless week of singles against Caroline Garcia and Jasmine Paolini.

At one point, Kerber appeared set to suffer the first 6-0 6-0 double-bagel defeat of her illustrious career when Sakkari raced through the opening nine games.

“I was just very solid from the baseline, doing what I have to do,” Sakkari said.

“But of course I knew that Angie, because she’s very experienced, an amazing player, that she was going to find a way to come back. She was not going to give up.

“She’s too good for it just to give up, so I managed my nerves really well, especially in that second set.

“I’m very happy I gave that first point to my team.”

While Kerber must quickly regroup ahead of the season’s first grand slam starting in nine days, Sakkari is unbeaten – and yet to drop a set – in three singles matches this United Cup campaign.

AAP

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