United Cup: Trevisan prevails three-hour nail-biter to put Italy ahead of Norway

• Martina Trevisan fought off an inspired performance from  Malene Helgo.
• Martina needed more than three hours to dispatch  Norwegian.
• Helgo didn’t let this dissuade him, and in the second set.

On Day 5 of the United Cup, Martina Trevisan overcame a strong showing from World No. 321 Malene Helgo to give Italy an early lead over Norway of 1-0.

For her first victory of the year, the 29-year-old Italian defeated the Norwegian in more than three hours, winning 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, according to unitedcup.com.

In the second singles match of the day against Viktor Durasovic, Lorenzo Musetti will attempt to increase Italy’s lead.

Italy needs a victory over Norway to move to the Brisbane City Finals after defeating Brazil 3-2 in its opening round. Brazil would win Group E and proceed to Wednesday’s City Finals if Norway could pull off an upset over the fifth seeds.

Helgo, who made her WTA Tour debut in her opener defeat to Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil, threatened the strongly favoured Italians. The 23-year-old played beyond her sub-300 classification, using her incredible ball-striking from the baseline to establish an early 5-2 lead over Trevisan.

But the semifinalist from the 2022 French Open persevered, mounting a valiant comeback to win the first set. The points were extended and the court was shrunk for Helgo by Trevisan using her physicality and court vision as the pressure caused Helgo to start misfiring. In order to win the first set, the Italian ran off five straight games, saving two set points along the way.

Helgo didn’t let this dissuade him, and in the second set, he once more took the lead early on the seasoned Italian. She refused to give it up again this time. The decisive set, which lasted three hours and two minutes, featured more back-and-forth action. Helgo overcame a 4-1 lead to tie the match at 4-4 before Trevisan broke her once more to secure the victory.

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