Is this the most lop-sided tie between the group winners at the United Cup? It could be, especially as team USA has an extremely well-balanced roster. The men’s matches should be very exciting though with Frances Tiafoe playing Dan Evans and Taylor Fritz facing Cameron Norrie. But who will reach the semifinals?
United Cup Day 7 Predictions
Madison Keys vs Katie Swan
Head-to-head: Keys 1-0 Swan
Katie Swan has won both of her matches so far, but the quality of the #2 players in her group wasn’t that high (Zoe Hives and Nuria Parrizas-Diaz). Madison Keys had the tougher opposition and also came out on top, not even dropping a set against Jule Niemeier and Marie Bouzkova. She should be able to overwhelm Swan from the baseline here (provided she can find her range), just as she did at Wimbledon in 2021 where she won 6-3 6-4.
Prediction: Keys in 2
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Jessica Pegula vs Harriet Dart
Head-to-head: Pegula 1-0 Dart
Jessica Pegula dropped a set to Harriet Dart at Wimbledon last year, but the American is just not that comfortable on grass. Compared to their only previous meeting, she should feel much more at ease with the conditions in Sydney. Dart has a bit of a reputation for performing well in team-oriented competitions (for example beating Paula Badosa and Ajla Tomljanovic at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals), so Pegula better not drop her guard here. Provided she doesn’t, however, and she should have enough here.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
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Frances Tiafoe vs Dan Evans
Head-to-head: Tiafoe 3-3 Evans
Most of their matches so far have been played indoors, but just like the overall rivalry is tied, they also split their two outdoor hard court meetings. Evans has been far from convincing in the group stage, losing to Jason Kubler and dropping a set against Albert Ramos Vinolas. Tiafoe, meanwhile, hasn’t really been tested yet, but looked slightly more convincing in dispatching Oscar Otte and Tomas Machac (the latter via retirement). He is also coming off a much better 2021 than Evans. A small edge towards the American? It would appear so.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
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Taylor Fritz vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: Fritz 6-5 Norrie
This pair recently faced off in the semifinals of the Diriyah Cup exhibition (not included in the head-to-head). Fritz won 7-6 4-6 10-6, but just like in most of their matches, it was really close. We rarely get this much sample size when it comes to a rivalry, but this one has been back and forth for years now. Both players also did remarkably well in the group stage. Still, Fritz has the higher peak and more options to go on the attack, so if anyone’s the slight favourite here, it’s probably him.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
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