TENNIS

United Cup 2023

Rafael Nadal loses again at United Cup in Sydney

Nadal lost to the Australian Alex De Minaur 3-6 6-1 7-5

Rafael Nadal Australia Tennis United Cup United Cup tennis
Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts during his match against Australia's Alex de Minaur.LAPRESSE
ES

Rafael Nadal lost again at the United Cup mixed teams tournament, chalking up Monday's defeat to Alex De Minaur to rustiness.

The second-ranked Nadal lost to the Australian 3-6 6-1 7-5 after having been beaten by Britain's Cameron Norrie in three sets.

The record 22-time Grand Slam champion said he needs more matches like Monday's to be ready for his Australian Open title defense.

"I need hours on court. I need battles like this. I didn't play much official matches the last six months, almost seven," said the 36-year-old Spaniard, who battled foot, rib and abdomen injuries last year.

"I have two weeks before the Australian Open starts. I can't say that the situation is ideal but, at the same time, I can't say that it's very negative, because for moments I was playing good."

Rafael Nadal Australia Tennis United Cup United Cup tennis
Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts during his match against Australia's Alex de Minaur.LAPRESSE

Both teams went into the match knowing they couldn't advance after losing to Britain, which will face the United States in the knockout stage on Wednesday for a spot in the semifinals.

The US ensured it will top Group C by opening up a 2-0 lead over , with Madison Keys beating Jule Niemeier after Taylor Fritz defeated Alexander Zverev.

Taylor Fritz took advantage of a dominant serve to beat Zverev 6-1, 6-4.

Keys extended the United States' lead to 2-0 with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Niemeier. Keys' power and pinpoint serving proved too much for the 23-year-old German.

"I just tried to make as many first serves as possible to make things as easy as a tennis match could be," Keys said.

In Brisbane, top-ranked Iga Swiatek beat Belinda Bencic 6-3 7-6 (3) to give Poland an early advantage against Switzerland in a winner-take-all tie.

Stefanos Tsitsipas beat David Goffin 6-3 6-2 to pull Greece level at 1-1 against Belgium while Italy leads Norway 2-0.

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