Alexander Zverev produced a sharp opening performance Sunday to steer Germany to victory over Brazil in the United Cup in Perth, capitalising on teammate Laura Siegemund's crucial upset win earlier in the day.
World No. 2 Zverev claimed immediate breaks in both sets to defeat Thiago Monteiro 6-4, 6-4 in just one hour and 17 minutes, in contrast to Siegemund's gruelling three-set win over Beatriz Haddad Maia in the first match of the day.
The 23-time ATP Tour title winner served 11 aces and dropped just three points on his first serve (29/32) according to Infosys ATP Stats.
"I'm very happy to be back playing for Team Germany again," Zverev said. "Perth is one of my favourite cities in Australia... and I'm enjoying my time on the court.
"I think this is the first time we've been up 2-0 in a tie. Last year we were playing a deciding match every single time so it's nice to know that we've got this one in the bag already."
Zverev played a maximum 10 matches at last year's United Cup as he carried the Germans to the title, but hinted before this year's event that he may defer doubles duty to recent Nitto ATP Finals doubles champion Tim Puetz. The 27-year-old improved to 3-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Monteiro, who is No. 109 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
Earlier in the day, Siegemund outlasted Haddad Maia 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 to take a 1-0 lead in their Group E tie at the RAC Arena.
World No.80 Siegemund pulled off the topsy-turvy victory after two hours and 33 minutes, in Germany’s first match of the event. It was an upset on paper, but Siegemund has had 17th-ranked Haddad Maia’s number in the past, and the German now leads their head-to-head 4-1 overall.
"It’s the first match of the year against such a great player, it’s not easy," Siegemund said. "So I have to, out of the pocket, pull my best game basically, and I just tried to focus on that and stay cool in the [big] moments."
"The match, today, it wasn't perfect. For nobody it is, at the beginning of the year. But I tried to stay in it, I tried to stay positive, and hopefully that's giving me some confidence for the next matches."
Currently the top-ranked German woman in both singles and doubles in the PIF Rankings, former Top 30 singles player Siegemund notched the 20th Top 20 win of her career by toppling Haddad Maia.
After falling behind an early break at 3-1 in the opening set, the crafty veteran Siegemund used her bevy of passing shots and winning volleys to reel off five consecutive games and steal the one-set lead.
Haddad Maia swept through the second set, but deft, well-placed returns helped Siegemund stay on the front foot in the third set. Coming out on top in all-court rallies with lobs and drop shots, Siegemund earned the decisive break for 5-4, then served out the match at love.
The Germans won four of five ties en route to last year’s title, ultimately beating Poland in the final after Zverev saved two championship points in his singles against Hubert Hurkacz.
Germany completed a 3-0 sweep of the tie when Siegemund teamed with Puetz to defeat Rafael Matos and Carolina Alves 7-6(8), 6-4 in the mixed doubles rubber.
