The US have taken a 2-0 lead over the Czech Republic on day one of many United Cup courtesy of wins by Taylor Fritz and Madison Keys.
World No.9 Fritz had a formidable 6-3 6-4 victory over Jiri Lehecka to get the blended groups competitors below manner in Sydney.
Keys then accounted for Marie Bouzkova 6-4 6-3 to provide the United States an ideal begin.
Keys showcased her world No.11 standing by successful the massive factors. The 2017 US Open finalist broke Bouzkova within the tenth recreation of the primary set and the eighth recreation of the second, and held her subsequent service video games on each events.
The win continued the 27-year-old’s love affair with Australia; Keys’ semi-final end at the newest Australian Open was her finest outcome at a grand slam since 2018 and adopted her triumph on the 2022 Adelaide International.
“I love playing here,” Keys mentioned.
“Whether it’s the people or that I like playing in the heat at the start of the year, it’s fast and bouncy, it suits my game really well.”
Fritz additionally got here to the fore when below strain.
Lehecka had break factors in Fritz’s opening two service video games within the second set however the American nailed his first ball every time to maintain the Czech at bay.
The set stayed on serve till the ninth recreation when Fritz took his alternative, serving it out in model with an ace on match level.
“Hopefully there are a lot more wins this week,” he mentioned.
“It’s good to start out 2-0 on the day as well for the team. We’re all here to try and win it so it’s a great way to start.”
Fritz made his manner into the highest 10 in October for the primary time in his profession in a yr the place he turned in his finest performances in grand slams. He reached the fourth spherical of the Australian Open and quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
The 25-year-old had an outstanding 6-3 7-6 win over Rafael Nadal at this yr’s Indian Wells Masters to substantiate his upward trajectory.
