First day of the United Cup: the Czechs lose 0:2 to the Americans, Kvitova can reduce the score tonight

The first day of the United Cup has so far brought disappointment in the Czech camp. The Americans, the big favourites of the tournament, won both of their night matches and lead 2:0 on points. However, there will be an opportunity to shuffle the cards at night. Petra Kvitova and Tomas Machac will play.

The premiere edition of the United Cup, which replaced the original ATP Cup, opened with a match between Jiri Lehecka (81st) and last season’s discovery Taylor Fritz (9th).

The latter confirmed his role as the favourite and continued his very successful last season. Lehečka, a native of Mladá Boleslav, was his equal opponent for most of the match.

The first set was decided by the second game, in which the Next Gen finalist Lehečka lost his first serve and was unable to work his way to a break point by the end of the first set.

In the second set it was even better. Lehecka held his serve confidently and created two break chances. But he didn’t take advantage of any of them and in the ninth game, after a tough fight, he lost his serve and thus the whole match.

Taylor Fritz (9th) – Jiri Lehecka (81st) – 2::0 (6::3, 6::4)

In the second match in the women’s singles, the Czech coach Jiri Vanek put the still very promising Maria Bouzkova (24th). She was not going to have an easy job either, as she was up against the current 11th player in the world ranking, Madison Keys.

The match was very similar to Lehecka’s match, with the difference that Bouzkova was one break ahead in both sets.

However, the 24-year-old Bouzkova did not take advantage of these advantages either, as her opponent worked hard in the end of the sets and managed to dominate the match in two sets.

Madison Keys (11th) – Marie Bouzkova (24th) – 2::0 (6::4, 6::3)

The Czechs were unable to play a single set on the first day of the United Cup. Petra Kvitova will have a chance to reduce the gap to one point on the night of 30/12 at midnight.

She will face world number three Jessica Pegula. Kvitova has a positive match record of 2-1 against the American. The next match will be between Tomas Machac (97th) and Frances Tiafoe (19th).

The match should end with a mixed doubles match following the format of the famous Hopman Cup. Jessica Malečková and Dalibor Svrčina are nominated for the doubles.

Source: United Cup