By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday January 8, 2023
Taylor Fritz edged Matteo Berrettini to clinch the United Cup title for Team USA in Sydney.
Photo Source: Getty
At the inaugural United Cup in Sydney, Team USA came, saw and conquered.
The only team in the 18-squad competition that dressed four Top-20 singles players lived up to its pre-tournament favorite status and delivered a rousing whitewashing of Italy on Sunday, taking the title with a 4-0 victory.
After the title was won, Frances Tiafoe reflected on what it is like to grow alongside a cast of rising compatriots. His answer explains why the United has been such a good experience - on so many levels - for Team USA.
"To see like these guys next to me on this road doing their thing, it really inspires me, seeing how they go about their business each and every day," he said. "They're all true professionals, great players. Doing something at the highest level. Yeah, I'm learning from all these guys. I'm taking things from them."
Taylor Fritz clinched the title with a tense takedown of Italian No.1 Matteo Berrettini, 7-6(4), 7-6(6), and the Americans did not drop a single set thanks to victories from Jessica Pegula (d. Martina Trevisan), Frances Tiafoe (d. Lorenzo Musetti), Fritz and Madison Keys (d. Lucia Bronzetti).
Fritz says that Team USA is simply stronger when the women compete alongside the men.
"Having the women playing with us just makes the team a lot stronger from the guys' side," he said. "We've struggled a bit, I'd say... Having the women with us makes the team a lot stronger. I think what I said back when they asked us a couple months ago was I'm excited to get carried in this event."
In total, the Americans went 22-2 in their matches as they closed a fantastic week emphatically – the perfect preparation for the 2023 Australian Open, which begins on January 16.
The Americans embraced the team aspect of the competition and enjoyed themselves both on and off the court. That much was made clear by their uproarious celebrations on Sunday night.
"It's been a special week," Tiafoe said. "Everybody behind me too. Yeah, it takes a village to do something special. Yeah, it's been a hell of a week."