Dan Evans shrugged off a desperate second set to sink Spain’s Albert Ramos-Viñolas and steer Great Britain into the quarter-finals of the United Cup in Sydney. Evans’s 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 win gave his side an unassailable lead in their Group D matchup following Saturday’s wins for Cameron Norrie – who beat Rafael Nadal – and Katie Swan in the inaugural mixed-team event.
Evans broke his opponent in his first service game of the deciding set and rallied again after the Spaniard hit back to level the set at 2-2. Ramos-Viñolas saved a match point on his serve at 5-3 but Evans was undaunted and served out the next game to book Britain’s last-eight berth.
Harriet Dart had missed the chance to seal Britain’s victory earlier in the day when she was defeated 6-7 (6), 7-6 (5), 6-1 by the world No 13, Paula Badosa. Britain will now take on the winner of Group C, comprising the United States, Czech Republic and Germany, in the “city final” at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena on Wednesday.
Spain next play Australia, who are without Ajla Tomljanovic after she withdrew from the tournament to recover from a minor knee problem before the Australian Open, which begins on 16 January. Nick Kyrgios is also unavailable as he gears up for the major.
Petra Kvitova earlier beat Laura Siegemund 6-4, 6-2 for her second straight victory in the tournament as the Czechs secured a 3-0 lead in their tie against Germany. Oscar Otte earned Germany their first win when he defeated Dalibor Svrcina 7-6 (1), 6-2 before Siegemund and Alexander Zverev teamed up for another consolation win over Marie Bouzkova and Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 7-6 (1).
The Czechs have one win and a defeat from two ties following their opening round robin loss to the United States, who take on Germany next in Group C.
Bulgaria’s Alexandar Lazarov and Isabella Shinikova won the first ever United Cup deciding mixed doubles meeting in Perth, saving a match point to beat Belgium’s David Goffin and Elise Mertens for a 3-2 triumph in Group A. Casper Ruud sealed Norway’s only victory in their 4-1 Group E defeat by Brazil, as he defeated Thiago Monteiro 6-3, 6-2.
Poland went 3-1 up over Kazakhstan in Group B, with Hubert Hurkacz and Magda Linette winning their matches in Brisbane. Croatia ended Argentina’s chances of advancing from Perth, going up 3-0 to hand them a second straight Group F loss.
The United Cup is being played in three cities with two group winners from each venue meeting to determine who reaches the last-four stage. The fourth semi-finalist will be the “city final” runner-up with the best record from their three matches. Sydney will host the final next Sunday.