United Cup 2025: From Greek tragedy to terrific triumph as Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas survive shock Spain defeat
ATP
Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas averted a Greek tragedy as they slumped Spain out of the United Cup after looking themselves like they were heading towards the exit door on Saturday afternoon.
Sakkari and Tsitsipas in doubles came back from a set down to avert a shock loss. The former in her first match after a shoulder injury suffered a shock defeat to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-1 in the opening match of the tie.
Fortunately for Greece, Tsitsipas managed to lead from the front. He forced a deciding match by beating Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Then Sakkari and Tsitsipas teamed up as they have many times in the past to finally overcome Ivonne Cavalle-Reimers and Sergio Martos Gomes 4-6 6-3 10-6.
Greece were big favourites to tussle with Kazakhstan for the top spot but they stumbled to victory in the end. Now they have a 1-0 record in Perth and will battle against Elena Rybakina's team. It will now be a direct battle for top spot in Group C.
Sakkari stumbling shows that the vulnerability is still there albeit in a rising player in Bouzas Maneiro who showed reall grit and fight to ease past the Greek who has had no confidence for a while and has slumped out of her top 10 spot.
But having eventually got over the line in the mixed doubles, Sakkari and Tsitsipas will hope it is just a momentary blip.
Tsitsipas himself summed it up after sealing the victory for his team thanking Maria for creating the drama that is akin to Greece. They will hope that isn't the case against Rybakina and Shevchenko. 'There isn't a single Greek night without some drama, so I'd like to thank her [Maria Sakkari] for being my partner in crime on that drama night that we were able to capture tonight'
Picture perfect 👌🇪🇸
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 28, 2024
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro defeats Sakkari 6-2 6-1 to give Team Spain a 1-0 lead.#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/LhDO6X4fa4
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