Sakkari defeats Fernandez as Greece eliminates Canada at United Cup

SYDNEY, Australia Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas helped Greece eliminate Canada from the United Cup with a 3 0 victory in group play on Wednesday. Sakkari saved four set points in the first set and came back from down 3 1 in the second to defeat Leylah Fernandez, of Laval, Que., 7 6 (2), 6 3, and secure a 2 0 lead for Greece, which advanced to the quarterfinals.

In the first match, No. 6 ranked Tsitsipas comfortably beat Toronto's Steven Diez 6 2, 6 3. Tsitsipas and Despina Papamichail teamed up to top Montreal's Felix Auger Aliassime and Vancouver's Stacey Fung 7 5, 6 4 in mixed doubles. Canada opened the tournament with a 2 1 win over Chile on Sunday and would have advanced to the quarters as Group B winners with a victory versus Greece.

The Canadians (2 4) instead finished last in the group, behind Chile (3 3) and Greece (4 2). The 18 country, mixed team event in Sydney and Perth doubles as a warm up for the Australian Open. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 3, 2024..