Tiafoe wins after retirement while Kvitova downs Pegula at United Cup

Frances Tiafoe won his match against Tomas Machac after the Czech player retired down a set with Petra Kvitova beating Jessica Pegula in straight sets.

Overall the US team still pulled out a win as Fritz and Pegula teamed up for the doubles match and won it over Lehecka and Bouzkova. It was an exciting stretch of matches as Tiafoe started off his year with a win. He was playing Machac who is a capable hard court player and he proved it in the second set when he was up a break against the American.

Unfortunately, he injured himself and needed to retire. It was a huge blow to Czech hopes, particularly after Petra Kvitova was able to defeat Pegula in a very close and competitive affair that last lasted two hours. The first set was a close one that Kvitova won in the tiebreak 8-6. Pegula was up 5-1 in that tiebreak but Kvitova rallied back to take it.

She wasted six set points earlier in the match but finally converted the 7th one. Pegula wasted set points of her own. The second set was simpler for Kvitova who cruised to a 6-4 finish.