Tennis Gutsy Evans helps Britain topple Spain to reach United Cup play-offs | Mighty 790 KFGO

SYDNEY (Reuters) Britain stormed into the knockout stages of the United Cup mixed team tournament on Sunday as Dan Evans faced a grueling encounter against Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas with a 6-3 1-6 6-3 win to give his side an unassailable 3-1 lead .

Great Britain started the day with a 2-0 lead in the tie, thanks in part to Cameron Norries’ win over Rafa Nadal on Saturday, but an ill Paula Badosa dragged Spain back into contention as she shrugged off leg cramps to beat Harriet Dart 6-7( 6) 7-6( 4) 6-1.

Evans, who recovered from illness to take part in the $15 million prize money event, showed his fighting ability to beat Ramos-Vinolas late deputizing for Pablo Carreno Busta and help Britain top Group D.

They will now face the winner of Group C, which includes the USA, Czech Republic and Germany, in the city final at Sydneys Ken Rosewall Arena on Wednesday.

Spain next play Australia, who will be without Ajla Tomljanovic after he withdrew from the tournament to recover from a minor knee problem ahead of the 16-29. Australian Open in January. Nick Kyrgios is also unavailable as he prepares for a major.

Petra Kvitova earlier beat Laura Siegemund 6-4 6-2 to claim her second straight win at the tournament as the Czechs secured a 3-0 lead in a draw against Germany.

Oscar Otte earned his first win for Germany when he beat Dalibor Svrcina 7-6(1) 6-2, before Siegemund and Alexander Zverev combined for another consolation victory over Marie Bouzkova and Jiri Lehecka 6-4 7-6(1).

The Czech Republic has one win and one loss from two draws after an opening round loss to the United States, who will next face Germany in Group C.

Bulgaria’s Alexandar Lazarov and Isabella Shinikova won the first-ever United Cup deciding mixed doubles match in Perth, saving a match point to beat Belgium’s David Goffin and Elise Mertens 3-2 in Group A.

Casper Ruud sealed Norway’s only win in Group E’s 4-1 loss to Brazil when he defeated Thiago Monteiro 6-3 6-2. Poland beat Kazakhstan 3-1 in Group B as Hubert Hurkacz and Magda Linette won their matches in Brisbane.

Croatia snuffed out Argentina’s chances of progressing past Perth to go 3-0 up and hand them their second successive Group F defeat.

The United Cup will be played in three cities, with two group winners from each venue going through to the last four stages.

The fourth semi-finalist is the city’s final runner-up with the best result from their three matches. Sydney will host the final on January 8.

(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru)