“We got there in the end!” Zverev and Kerber thrilled after late-night United Cup drama

Team Germany will get less sleep than Poland ahead of the United Cup final

Angelique Kerber congratulates Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund at the 2024 United Cup (Mark Baker/AP/SIPA)

January 6, 2024

Team Germany will play Poland in the final of the United Cup – and their singles players Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev admitted it had been a long and gruelling day in the semi-final against Australia.

The tie went down to the wire in the mixed doubles, with Zverev and Laura Siegemund taking their fifth match point shortly before 2.30am local time to win 7-6 (2), 6-7 (2), 15-13.

Zverev had earlier lost his singles match against Alex de Minaur after Kerber had started the day with a three-set triumph over Ajla Tomljanovic.

“Angie saved our ass today,” smiled Zverev. “So that, I’m very happy about. An incredible match for her. Yeah, also the mixed doubles, obviously so many emotions, so many match points going back and forth. Happy to kind of get there in the end.

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The moment Team Germany earned their spot in the #UnitedCup final 💥 pic.twitter.com/BsMq0ODv0s
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 6, 2024

“Yeah, what can I say? We’re in the final. We’re happy about that. Team Poland is obviously happier being in bed for the last three hours, but we’re happy being in the final.”

That was a wry acknowledgement of Poland’s much easier day with a 3-0 sweep against France – with their singles players Hubert Hurkacz and Iga Swiatek not playing in the mixed doubles match.

Zverev: Swiatek is a United Cup cheat code

Kerber will now face the world No 1 on Sunday, and she said that she has nothing to lose in the final.

“Like Sascha said, I think they are already in bed and we just on our way to the hotel,” she said. I think we will have treatment as well still, so it will be a short night.

“You know, I go out there and try to play good tennis and we will see.”

And Zverev added that they felt they were going into the final as underdogs.

“I think Poland is the favourite no matter [which team] they play, with Iga and Hubi,” he said. “I mean, Iga is basically a cheat code at the United Cup a little bit, or has been so far. Hopefully we can change that tomorrow. Yeah, we’re excited to be in the final.”