Prague
The Czech Republic kept its perfect record in the Fed Cup finals by capturing the trophy for the sixth time in eight years by defeating the defending champion United States.
Katerina Siniakova saved two match points before beating Sofia Kenin, 7-5, 5-7, 7-5, in the first reverse singles match on Sunday to give the Czechs an insurmountable 3-0 lead over the U.S. in the best-of-five final. The remaining two matches were not played.
It was the first victory for the Czechs over the United States since the country was created after the split of Czechoslovakia in 1993 following four previous defeats in the Fed Cup.
The Czechoslovakia team that won five Fed Cup titles was 2-6 against the U.S.
“It was an unbelievable match for me,” Siniakova said. “It was up and down, with nerves. I’m extremely happy that I won. I thank all who came for their support. It was felt.”
In a hard-fought match at the O2 Arena, the 22-year-old Siniakova saved two match points when Kenin was serving at 5-4, and went on to convert her second match point on the indoor hardcourt in front of 14,500 fans.
Federer Loses ATP Finals Opener
London
An error-strewn display from the 20-time Grand Slam champion allowed Nishikori to take the first set via a tiebreaker despite the Japanese player struggling for consistency himself.
Federer earned the first break points in the opening game of the second set, and took his chance, but Nishikori hit straight back in the following game.
Earlier, Kevin Anderson made a confident start to his ATP Finals debut with a 6-3, 7-6 (10) victory over Dominic Thiem.
KuchAr Ends Long Drought
Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
Kuchar had a four-shot lead going into the final round. But after making two bogeys over the first 67 holes in the tournament, he made two bogeys in two holes on Nos. 14 and 15, and his lead shrunk to one shot when Danny Lee made a 20-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the 16th hole. Lee finished with two pars for a 65.
Man City 3, Man United 1
Manchester, England
As United was run ragged, unable to disrupt City’s passing, David Silva swept the league leaders in front in the 12th minute. United’s sloppiness set Sergio Aguero on the run for a move he completed with City’s second three minutes into the second half.
Although Anthony Martial reduced the deficit from the penalty spot, City remained ruthless and Ilkay Gundogan smoothed Pep Guardiola’s passage to victory by netting from Bernardo Silva’s cross in the 86th.
Runner-up last season, United managed just one shot on target at the Etihad Stadium and is now languishing in eighth place. In a league it was accustomed to dominating until 2013, the 20-time English champions are now further behind City than at any time in the Premier League after 12 games.
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