The United States defeated Italy to win the first United Cup

Taylor Fritz outlasted Matteo Berrettini 7-6(4) 7-6(6) to help favorites USA take an insurmountable 3-0 lead against Italy in the final of the first United Cup mixed team tournament to seal the title. Sunday.

Entered the third rubber with his red-hot team leading 2-0 and needing one more win to win the $15 million tournament. World No. 9 Fritz took the opening set when his big opponent found the net in a tight spot. cutoff game.

Indian Wells champion Fritz missed five opportunities to break in the next set but held his nerve in the second tiebreak, securing victory for the Americans and sparking wild celebrations on the courtside and in the stands.

Earlier, Lorenzo Musettis withdrew from his match with Frances Tiafoe, giving the United States a 2-0 lead as Jessica Pegula beat Martina Trevisan 6-4 6-2 at Ken Rosewall Arena.

A right shoulder injury forced the 20-year-old Musetti to concede a second set to Tiafoe after his first serve. The Italian lost the opening 6-2.

“He played really well, he had a chance to break early with good returns, but maybe he paid for them,” Tiafoe said.

I thought I was playing at a really high level. I could see he was pulling his shoulder a lot and staying locked up. I don’t want to win like this, especially for my team and myself. I hope Lorenzo is doing better.

Tiafoe, ranked 19th in the world, had to fight to win his own opening service game before breaking in the third set and cruising his way to a comfortable first-set win.

However, Musetti struggled as the match progressed, and when trying to play on the sideline after receiving treatment, he stepped over the net to get through.

Meanwhile, Pegula grabbed a straight sets victory over a struggling Trevisan, winning the opening set 6-4 as both players struggled to hold serve.

He then took command in the second set, winning the first five games before ending Trevisan’s late fightback to secure a straight sets victory.