France beats Norway to make United Cup semis
Norway's Casper Ruud plays a forehand return to Adrian Mannarino of France during their United Cup quarterfinal tennis match in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Credit: AP/Mark Baker
SYDNEY — France defeated Norway in the deciding mixed doubles and set up a United Cup semifinal against Poland on Thursday.
Caroline Garcia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France beat Ulrikke Eikeri and Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-4 in a tie that stretched nearly 6 1/2 hours.
Ruud forced the quarterfinal to a decider by downing Adrian Mannarino 6-1, 6-4 after Garcia put France up 1-0 by edging Malene Helgo 6-2, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (5).
Garcia, ranked 20th and the 2022 WTA Finals champion, was made to work for more than 2 1/2 hours against 544th-ranked Helgo.
“It was a crazy match, a crazy performance from Helgo,” Garcia said. “I didn’t know her very well and she just played a crazy match, was hitting the ball so well.”
Ruud outclassed Mannarino in the men’s singles.
“I don’t think I faced a break point,” Ruud said. “So that’s great for my standards of serving ... and putting Norway back on the board."
Caroline Garcia of France celebrates after defeating Norway's Malene Helgo in their United Cup quarterfinal tennis match in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Credit: AP/Mark Baker
Who meets Australia in the other semifinal on Saturday will be decided between Greece and Germany on Friday. The final on Sunday is also at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney.
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