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Surprise last-minute swap for Team Greece’s next critical match
Valentini Grammatikopoulou has stepped on court instead of Despina Papamichail for Greece to face down Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti.
Grammatikopoulou is ranked 23 places lower than Papamichail at 181, but she won her last two matches against Bronzetti.
The Italian is charging ahead, up four games to love.
United Cup, Sydney
Bronzetti (Italy) v Grammatikopoulou (Greece) 4-0
In Adelaide: Jabeur 100 ranks ahead but a set down to Noskova
Czech teenager Linda Noskova has continued to challenge players far beyond her rank and experience level in Adelaide, taking the first set of her semi-final match against world No. 2 Ons Jabeur.
Linda Noskova in her semi-final against Ons Jabeur after beating Victoria Azarenka in the Adelaide International in the quarter-finals.Credit:GEtty
Jabeur, a decade older and 100 ranks ahead of Noskova, is up 3-1 in the second set.
Adelaide International
Noskova (Czech Republic) v Jabeur (Tunisia) 6-3, 3-1
Tsitsipas victorious after extraordinary comeback
Tsitsipas wins the three-set epic with a spate of extraordinary points, keeping Team Greece in the United Cup and fending off opponent Berrettini, who was rock-solid until the points really mattered.
Tsitsipas keeps Team Greece in the United Cup with a blistering comeback against Berrettini.Credit:Getty
The world No. 6 closes the match 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4.
“I needed every single member of the team to uplift me,” Tsitsipas says to Jim Courier after the match. “What a great atmosphere out here, I’m loving it.
“We won this together guys.”
Team Greece’s hopes are well and truly alive as Despina Papamichail prepares to battle Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti and attempt to equalise the tie.
Watch: Tsitsipas on verge of comeback win
Tsitsipas amps up just in time, wins break
Tsitsipas scores a desperately needed break point. A wave of blue and white elation surges through the crowd at Ken Rosewall Arena.
United Cup, Sydney
Berrettini (Italy) v Tsitsipas (Greece) 6-4, 6-7 (7-2), 3-4
Berrettini and Tsitsipas neck-and-neck in deciding set
Berrettini and Tsitsipas are neck-and-neck in the deciding third set of their United Cup semi-final match after a gripping tug-of-war on the Greek player’s serve.
The Italian took Tsitsipas to deuce and had the opportunity to break at one point, but Tsitsipas saved the break point and took back the game on the fourth deuce.
The Italian’s holding his service games more easily than his opponent, but Tsitsipas is finding more wins by storming into the net.
United Cup, Sydney
Berrettini (Italy) v Tsitsipas (Greece) 6-4, 6-7 (7-2), 3-3
Watch: Tsitsipas claws back crucial second set for Team Greece
Tsitsipas wins second set, saving Greece’s chances for final
An ace seals the second set in favour of Tsitsipas, staving off a loss that would’ve seen Italy deny Greece a spot in the United Cup final.
Tsitsipas fights for Greece’s last chance to stay in the United Cup.Credit:AP
Three unforced errors in the tie-breaker from Berrettini – more than he made in the rest of the entire set – helped usher Tsitsipas to safety.
It’s all on the line in the third set.
Crucial tie-breaker could decide United Cup final
Tsitsipas attempts to amp up the crowd after a successful point in what could be a crucial turnaround for a beleaguered Team Greece.
Berrettini, who has made only two unforced errors this set, holds serve with flawless play at the net.
We’re in for a tie-break to see if Tsitsipas can force a third set decider.
Tsitsipas makes athletic chip as Berrettini hunts for break
Tsitsipas is looking slightly rattled after big misses – including a failed return that went sailing into the crowd – as he battles to interrupt Berrettini’s momentum.
But the Greek player holds serve thanks to this athletic chip.
Berrettini wins the next game, continuing his impenetrable service game, to equalise 5-5 in the second set.
United Cup, Sydney
Berrettini (Italy) v Tsitsipas (Greece) 6-4, 5-5
