Argentina surprises Australia in the United Cup | ATP Tour

United Cup

Argentina surprises Australia in the United Cup

Etcheverry and Carlé win the decisive mixed doubles

December 28, 2024

It only took one day in Sydney to witness a notable result in the United Cup.

Argentina defeated Australia (2-1) on Saturday night at the Ken Rosewall Arena, limiting the host team’s chances of lifting its first trophy in the mixed team tournament.

Alex de Minaur put in an impeccable performance to force the decisive mixed doubles in front of a dedicated crowd. However, María Lourdes Carlé and Tomás Martín Etcheverry responded with aplomb, beating specialists Matthew Ebden and Ellen Perez 6-2, 6-3 to seal the South American victory.

“It was a difficult match for me in the singles. Alex played incredible tennis,” said Etcheverry. “I was with the captain in the locker room, we talked and he asked me if I was fit to play. I have known Lourdes since we were children, since we were very little, so it was special to share the court with her and achieve the victory. We are very happy” .

“I feel very happy. It was our first time playing together and I trust him,” Carlé added. “I said to myself: ‘Ok, let’s have fun’. And we did. We played well, with very high energy. That was our goal for today.”

Previously, De Minaur had beaten Etcheverry 6-1, 6-4 in the second match of the tie, giving his country a chance in Group F.

“Being back in Sydney has helped me, I love coming here,” De Minaur said. “I love playing in this city. I get to compete in front of many friends, family, my compatriots. What better way to start a new season?”

De Minaur has an individual record of 5-2 in the United Cup. In 2023 he defeated Rafael Nadal in the tournament and in the 2024 edition the Australian added victories against three Top 10 figures, including Novak Djokovic.

“I have accumulated a good amount of work in the preseason,” said De Minaur. “I felt comfortable with the way I was playing before the tournament, so I tried to encourage myself to play the type of tennis I wanted today.”

Nadia Podoroska, Roland Garros 2020 semi-finalist, was responsible for adding the first point of the tie for Argentina by beating Olivia Gadecki 6-2, 6-4.

The No. 100 of the PIF WTA Rankings had to face a match with the stands turned in favor of her opponent, completing a memorable psychological work to abstract herself from the surroundings.

“I think I played solid throughout the match,” Podoroska said. “When I lost some turns of serve I continued to play my game. It’s very important to be able to do this.”

Argentina will have time to digest the victory before facing Great Britain on Monday morning, where a victory would grant them a ticket to the next phase. Australia will face Great Britain on Wednesday night.