The inaugural United Cup will reach its conclusion on Sunday. The United States and Italy will vie to lift the coveted and astonishingly-pristine gold-plated trophy in Sydney. Four singles matches and one mixed doubles match are on schedule. Team USA has strength in depth in their ranks, but Italy’s team spirit and togetherness has lifted them to the championship match against all the odds. Who will win the 2023 United Cup?
United Cup Final Predictions
Jessica Pegula vs Martina Trevisan
Head-to-head: first meeting
The USA team is replete with talent that they haven’t actually been so reliant on their number-one-ranked players. But if there were any learning points from Italy’s win over Greece in the semifinal, the opening rubber carries so much significance they cannot afford to lose it. Greece will reflect on their exit and pinpoint Sakkari’s defeat to Trevisan, almost conclusively, where they lost it.
For Trevisan, that was more of a shock than her Roland Garros exploits last summer. She went into that match without a single win at the United Cup, but saved her best tennis for last, beating Sakkari in a classic. The Florence native will need to ride on that wave of momentum to hurt Jessica Pegula. The world No. 3 was slow off the blocks early on, losing to Petra Kvitova in the group stage. But her level has gone up a notch since then, going undefeated in singles and notching a career-best win over Iga Swiatek in USA’s dominant victory over Poland. Pegula should in all probability get her country off to a winning start in Sydney.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Frances Tiafoe vs Lorenzo Musetti
Head-to-head: Musetti 2-1 Tiafoe
Tiafoe has accounted for four singles wins at the United Cup for his country. Twice the USA has managed a clean sweep of their ties, most recently against Poland. But this could be where Italy will strongly fancy their chances of upsetting the applecart. Musetti owns a winning record over Tiafoe. He has been tidy in his game at the United Cup, and has kept things watertight on his serve.
Tiafoe has actually been tested, coming from a set down to beat Dan Evans of Great Britain. That could be the perfect prep for Tiafoe before facing the one-handed Musetti. However, the young Italian will try and inject more pace in his ground strokes to hit through the American. Evans had his moments in that third set, but just didn’t have sufficient power to exploit a fatigued Tiafoe. Musetti might give Italy life in this tie.
Prediction: Musetti in 3
Madison Keys vs Lucia Bronzetti
Head-to-head: first meeting
By virtue of being the best-placed runner-up in the City Final in Brisbane, Team Italy has capitalized on that chance and find themselves in the final. A lot of credit has to go to Lucia Bronzetti who handled the nerves and occasion with maturity in making sure of Italy’s win over Greece. No wonder her teammates tossed her into the air following her 6-2 6-3 win over Valentini Grammatikopoulou. Keys, however, is on a rampage at this year’s United Cup. She will make this match a little more physical. Bronzetti has done a lot of heavy lifting, but Keys should easily power past the world No. 56.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Taylor Fritz vs Matteo Berrettini
Head-to-head: Fritz 2-0 Berrettini
Taylor Fritz has done the business for his country, winning a crucial singles rubber against Hubert Hurkacz which extinguished Poland’s hopes of a comeback. The Californian is also at it in mixed doubles, where he is undefeated in three matches alongside Pegula. If anything, the USA should have the edge if this final goes into a decisive mixed doubles rubber.
Fritz has the upper hand in this matchup. He has a winning record against Berrettini, winning their most recent clash at the Indian Wells Masters two years ago. The American also possesses the outright explosiveness of Berrettini, especially on his forehand. Berrettini has the bigger serve, but if Fritz will get a decent purchase behind the first return, he can attack Berrettini’s vulnerable backhand to good effect.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
