Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz needed to battle by way of a deciding doubles match to conclude a 2-1 defeat of Britain on Sunday for the United States to remain in title rivalry on the United Cup. The defending champions, who gained the trophy final January over Italy, earned a 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 10-7 blended doubles win to assert victory in Perth after the edges break up the singles. “We have a team energy from last year here, we don’t want to take a loss and let it die,” mentioned Fritz, who was damaged twice within the opening set.

World quantity 5 Pegula added: “To get a win in this fashion after such a long day (on court) brings back a lot of memories.

“It was a giant win as we speak, particularly after shedding such a tricky singles match.”

Britain, who beat Australia to open their tournament account, took a 1-0 lead when Pegula crashed 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to Katie Boulter in the singles.

It was Boulter’s first win over a top-five player on her seventh attempt after she bounced back from a set and double-break down.

“This was a really exhausting match for each of us,” said the 56th-ranked Boulter. “I play my finest tennis when I’m smiling and having enjoyable.

“I kept trying to get over the line. I thrive in a team atmosphere… so many tennis heads giving information. It helps you to think clearly.”

Pegula’s Tenth-ranked teammate Fritz stored the tie alive regardless of a thigh pressure he blamed on over-training, defeating Cameron Norrie 7-6 (5), 6-4.

“I strained something but got through it,” mentioned Fritz. “Cam and I have played so many times (14). It’s always a battle, always close.”

World primary Novak Djokovic opens his season for Serbia later in opposition to China’s Zhang Zhizhen, with the Chinese workforce on a excessive after beating the Czech Republic 3-0.

In Sydney, Leylah Fernandez led Canada to a preventing victory over Chile with the previous US Open finalist successful her singles rubber after which backing up in a decisive blended doubles.

The Thirty fifth-ranked Fernandez bought Canada off to an ideal begin, cruising previous Chile’s Daniela Seguel 6-2, 6-3 in 73 minutes.

With Canadian primary Felix Auger-Aliassime sitting out the lads’s singles, 314th-ranked Steven Diez stepped up however was toppled by world quantity 19 Nicolas Jarry 7-5, 6-4.

It arrange a deciding blended doubles, with Fernandez teaming with Diez to battle previous Seguel and Tomas Barrios Vera 7-5, 4-6, 10-8.

“I’m extremely happy with the way I played,” mentioned Fernandez, who was a part of the Canadian workforce that gained the Billie Jean King Cup for the primary time this 12 months.

The 21-year-old broke 5 instances in her singles conflict in opposition to a participant in her first WTA Tour-level singles match in almost two years, utilizing the serve-and-volley tactic properly.

“First match of the season so had some nerves, but happy with the way I was able to handle it,” she mentioned.

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