Taylor Fritz had Coco Gauff to thank after she won in the women’s singles to keep the USA’s United Cup hopes alive. The duo then came out on top in a mixed doubles decider to move into top spot in Group A. Fritz and Gauff got the better of Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez in Perth. The USA will face Croatia in their final group match at the tournament.
Taylor Fritz thanked Coco Gauff for inspiring the USA to a 2-1 win in their United Cup clash with Canada.
The pair overcame Felix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez 7-6(2) 7-5 in a must-win mixed doubles match in Group A after Fritz fell to defeat in the men’s singles.
The result leaves the USA top of Group A ahead of their tie against Croatia in Perth.
Fritz was delighted to stay in the competition, but admitted that he had Gauff to thank after she stormed to victory in the women’s singles.
“After the way I lost my singles match, it would have been really tough to go home today with a mixed doubles loss today as well,” Fritz said.
“Thank you Coco for carrying the team, and we got it done.”
Fritz and Gauff were broken in both sets of their mixed doubles decider, but battled back on both occasions to seal the win.
Canada’s hopes of progressing from Group A are now out of their hands, and they will have to wait until the result of the USA’s matches with Croatia to learn if they will make it to the next stage.
Gauff defeated Fernandez 6-3 6-2 in the women’s singles, and she was happy with the USA’s performance in the mixed doubles.
“Really happy with how we played today in the mixed,” Gauff added.
“I felt we got better the longer the match went.
“We had a lot of chances and finally, we were able to stick ’em when it mattered.”