United Cup 2025: Stefanos Tsitsipas-led Greece slump to exit door as Elena Rybakina's Kazakhstan seal emphatic upset
ATP
Stefanos Tsitsipas was coming off a pretty average 2024 and Maria Sakkari had one of the worst of her career but the optimism was still high for the United Cup given that both players work well together and are a known quantity. But Elena Rybakina and Alexander Shevchenko paid heed to that on Monday.
Tsitsipas was hoping for a confidence boosting win but he instead encountered a bit of a nightmare. He was stunned 6-4, 7-6 (7-0) by World No.78, Alexander Shevchenko. While Rybakina who has looked terrific in the two ties amid her new partnership with Goran Ivanisevic survived a late wobble but dazzled in seeing off Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-3.
Rybakina led 5-0 in the second after edging past the first but the former World Number Three in Sakkari who suffered a pretty emphatic loss to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in her first match since the US Open added three games in a row to threaten the comeback.
But Rybakina showed that the lead she built was a bit too strong as she came through on her third match point as Sakkari mis-hit an overhead to hand her the win.
"At 5-0 you have nothing to lose, she played more aggressively and hit some good shots," said Rybakina.
"I just focused one by one, I got a bit lucky on match point but it was a positive match for me."
While Shevchenko who had to rely on Rybakina in their first tie was the one to lead from the front in their tie as he sealed what he called 'one of the best' wins of her career thus far.
"He was not at his best today. But I played really well and found the moment to win that match," he said.
"It will definitely go in my record as one of my best wins."
After two wins and in a tough group too, Kazakhstan ease into the Quarter-Finals with Rybakina's choice to play this over defend Brisbane paying dividends thus far.
A win to remember 👏
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) December 30, 2024
Alexander Shevchenko records one of the biggest wins of his career over Tsitsipas. #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/vfPVA2eDOK
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