Sebastian Baez and Solana Sierra led Argentina to an unassailable 2-0 lead over Spain yesterday to begin the ATP-WTA United Cup and clinch only the nation’s second win from seven ties played at the mixed-team event.
The South Americans got over the line at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, after 66th-ranked tournament debutant Sierra held her nerve for a 6-4, 5-7, 6-0 defeat of Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
World No. 45 Baez got his country on the scoreboard with a 6-4, 6-4 beating of Jaume Munar, earning a surprise win on hardcourt after just three victories in nine matches on the surface last season.
Photo: AFP
Baez gained control at 4-4 by breaking Munar and serving out the set in the following game. In the second set he showed composure again by breaking back immediately after losing serve for a 4-3 lead and never looked back.
“I really enjoyed this moment, enjoyed the time on court, so happy to have won this point for Argentina,” he said.
Greece, spearheaded by Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, play the night session at the 18-nation event, taking on a Japan team led by Naomi Osaka.
Ties comprise one men’s and one women’s singles, and a mixed doubles, with group winners in each city advancing to the quarter-finals along with the best runner-up.
Sierra led Bouzas Maneiro by a set and 5-2, but the Spaniard regrouped, showing grit to claw back and take it to a third set.
“It was a really tough match, I had to focus on my game,” Sierra said. “I’m proud that I kept going and won in the third set.”
“I knew I had to be tough. I’m super-happy with my level,” said the 21-year-old, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year.
STILL IN THE HUNT: Rasmus Hojlund took his goal tally for SSC Napoli to nine as the champions cruised to a win at US Cremonese and stayed two points behind the leaders Inter on Sunday stayed at the Serie A summit after beating Atalanta BC 1-0 to maintain their slender lead over local rivals AC Milan. Lautaro Martinez netted the only goal of the game in Bergamo for Inter, who lead Milan, 3-0 winners against Hellas Verona thanks to Christoper Nkunku’s first Serie A goals, by a single point at the top of the division. The Argentina striker has scored in four consecutive league matches to end what has been a tricky year in positive style. “I ended last season in a lot of pain... I kept going during the Club World Cup and international
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