Spain took a 1-0 lead in Saturday night's tie at Perth's RAC Arena after Jessica Bouzas Maneiro crushed world No.32 Maria Sakkari 6-2 6-1 in 72 minutes.
It meant Tsitsipas needed to win to keep Greece's hopes alive, and he cut a frustrated figure after a glut of unforced errors cost him the second set and saw him broken early in the third.
But the world No.11 refused to give in, fighting his way back into the contest and snaring two breaks of his own to secure the win in a little over two hours.Â
When @steftsitsipas lights up RAC Arena 🙌#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/yZTBlXYkiF— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 28, 2024
The result levelled the tie at 1-1, with the mixed doubles to decide the winner.
"I fought it through," Tsitsipas said.Â
"In some situations it felt I was really struggling to get back into the match.
"Pablo was playing good tennis throughout the third set. I came up with some good returns, and it helped me escape that situation.
"I'm happy I found a way when I was in a position where I was doubting myself. That was the moment I was most proud of."
Tsitsipas produced a couple of rusty shanks off the frame early on, but there were also plenty of sublime shots as he took the opening set in 44 minutes courtesy of a late break.
Carreno Busta was on the back foot early in the second set before the errors starting piling up for Tsitsipas.
The 26-year-old committed a total of 16 unforced errors for the set, including three double faults in a game he was lucky to hold.Â
Down a break in the third, Tsitsipas found a second wind, producing a series of dazzling winners to flip the momentum and secure victory.
Tsitsipas produced 19 winners and 13 aces for the match, but his 38 unforced errors would be a concern.
Earlier, Sakkari produced a rusty display in her first match since retiring hurt with a shoulder injury in the first round at the US Open in August.
In contrast, world No.54 Bouzas Maneiro looked unstoppable as she bounced back from Friday's straight sets loss to Elena Rybakina in grand style.
Picture perfect 👌🇪🇸— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 28, 2024Jessica Bouzas Maneiro defeats Sakkari 6-2 6-1 to give Team Spain a 1-0 lead.#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/LhDO6X4fa4
"I'm super happy with my performance today. Yesterday was tough for me. But I feel well today," Bouzas Maneiro said.
"It's my second match here, so it was worse for her (Sakkari) maybe to play her first match.
"Yesterday I lost and I was a little bit sad, but my team supported me so much."
