United Cup: Alexander Zverev wins first match of the season as Laura Siegemund helps Germany defeat Brazil

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United Cup: Alexander Zverev wins first match of the season as Laura Siegemund helps Germany defeat Brazil

Men’s world no.2 Alexander Zverev has eased to victory in his first hit-out of the season, steering Germany to an unassailable lead in their United Cup match-up against Brazil.

The ******* produced a confident performance to see off Thiago Monteiro 6-4 6-4 in 77 minutes as he overpowered the Brazilian with his serve, tallying up 11 aces while winning 91 per cent of points on his first serve.

Earlier, Laura Siegemund had given Germany the upper hand in the tie with an upset 6-3 1-6 6-4 win over Beatriz Haddad Maia, outlasting the Brazilian in just over two and a half hours.

It meant Haddad Maia — the women’s world no.17 — ended her United Cup with two singles losses to opponents ranked outside the top 75.

Camera IconSiegemund produced an upset in the women’s tie. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Germany will now turn their attention to Monday night’s pivotal tie against China, with the winner set to guarantee a spot in Wednesday’s quarter-finals.

Zverev was the morning session’s star attraction, and started both sets by breaking Monteiro, before proceeding to work him over with his serve.

The 109th-ranked Brazilian gave a good account of himself and refused to let Zverev run away with the match — but every question he posed, the ******* had an answer.

With Zverev serving for the match, he found himself down 15-30, but promptly answered with an ace to level the score, before sending down another big serve to bring up match point, which he duly converted.

Camera IconThiago Monteiro had no answer to Zverev. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

In the women’s match, the 36 year-old Siegemund entered the match as underdog, but despite 63 spots separating her from Haddad Maia in the rankings, the ******* was good value to take the first set in 45 minutes.

It prompted an aggressive response from the Brazilian, who was forced into action and clinically took her break opportunities to claim the second set.

But despite Haddad Maia appearing to have played herself into form, the third set proved to be a tight tussle, as the pair traded back-to-back breaks with the score at 3-3, before an unnerving Siegemund broke again and confidently served out the match.

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