Kazakhstan, first United Cup semi-finalist | ATP Tour

United Cup

Kazakhstan, first United Cup semi-finalist

They defeated Germany in the quarterfinals

January 01, 2025

Alexander Shevchenko secured Kazakhstan’s victory over Germany on Wednesday to make his country the first United Cup semi-finalist.

The 24-year-old defeated Daniel Masur 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2 in Perth to leave the quarterfinal series at 2-0.

“It was a fight in this heat, he made me run a lot, he was more aggressive,” said Shevchenko about his opponent, who replaced Alexander Zverev, who was out due to a last-minute injury. “That’s why I got tired, my head was spinning.”

“I’m really proud to have achieved this victory for our team, because they were fighting hard. I saw the faces of my team and they didn’t want to go to a decider. “I was also a little nervous, because I knew that if I won, the tie would be decided.”

Kazakhstan, which before this edition had a 0-2 record in the United Cup, will now travel to Sydney, where they will play in the semifinals against a team to be defined.

World number 6 Elena Rybakina had put Kazakhstan 1-0 up with a convincing 6-3, 6-1 victory over Germany’s Laura Siegemund in the series opener.

“All the kids are very funny and it’s nice to play in a team competition,” Rybakina said. “It’s very rare that we get the opportunity to do it. I am very happy to be here and also to be in Perth for the first time. “I really like everything.”

Second in total aces on tour last year (behind only Zheng Qinwn), Rybakina fired six aces against Siegemund on Wednesday, winning 79 percent of her first serve points and 67 percent of her second serve points service.