Perth, Australia — Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz showcased impressive performances, leading the United States into the semifinals of the United Cup mixed teams tennis competition on Wednesday, aiming to replicate their success from two years prior.
In the opening singles match, Gauff clinched victory against Zhang Shuai of China with a score of 7-6 (4), 6-2. Following her lead, Fritz solidified the team’s triumph by defeating Zhang Zhizhen 6-4, 6-4.
“I found myself on the court battling hard throughout; Shuai was producing some exceptional tennis,” expressed Gauff, currently ranked No. 3 in the world. “Despite my attempts to hit harder, she retaliated just as fiercely, and I struggled to put her on the defensive.”
Fritz, who is ranked No. 4, noted a slight pressure to perform well for the team. “I felt a bit anxious because I didn’t want to be the reason we lost after Coco had won all her matches this week,” he commented.
The Americans secured a clean sweep with a 3-0 finish when Desirae Krawczyk and Robert Galloway triumphed in mixed doubles, overcoming Zhang and Sun Fajing with a score of 6-3, 6-7 (1), 10-3. The U.S. will face either Italy or the Czech Republic in the upcoming match, which will determine their next semifinal opponent and is scheduled for Friday.
In another notable semifinal advancement, Kazakhstan achieved a 2-1 victory over Germany, despite the latter competing without their injured star, world No. 2 Alexander Zverev.
Zverev withdrew last minute due to a biceps injury, which prompted him to forfeit a highly anticipated match against Alexander Shevchenko. This decision came after Kazakhstan had taken an early lead, thanks to Elena Rybakina’s convincing win against Laura Siegemund with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-1.
Shevchenko eventually faced Germany’s replacement player, Daniel Masur, securing the tie with a score of 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2 while Zverev looked on from the sidelines. Germany, however, did manage a win in the mixed doubles event.
During the match, Shevchenko experienced heat exhaustion while leading the second set 1-0 but managed to return and claim victory. “It was definitely an issue with the heat,” Shevchenko remarked. “I had some dizziness and a headache; playing under such conditions was quite challenging.”
Kazakhstan’s next challenge involves either Poland or Britain, with their match set for Thursday in Sydney, where all subsequent tournament matches will take place.
In Sydney, Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz secured their spot in the quarterfinals for Poland by prevailing in their decisive mixed doubles match against the Czech Republic. Ranking No. 2 in the world, Swiatek alongside Hurkacz won with a score of 7-6 (3), 6-3 at the Ken Rosewall Arena after leading significantly at 5-2 before allowing Czech players to claw back into the first set.
Earlier, Machá? provided the Czech Republic an early lead with a narrow 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 win against Hurkacz, but Swiatek quickly tied the tie with her 6-3, 6-4 victory over Karolína Muchová.
Additionally, Katie Boulter’s commanding 6-2, 6-1 win against Olivia Gadecki led Britain to secure a quarterfinal position. Entering the match, Boulter understood that winning in straight sets would guarantee her team’s progression as the winners of Group F.
“I tried my best to put aside all the statistics,” Boulter recalled. “However, during dinner with former British No. 1 Laura Robson, she reminded me that I needed to win in straight sets.”
Subsequently, Alex de Minaur, who is Boulter’s fiancé, leveled the tie for Australia with a convincing 6-2, 6-1 victory over Billy Harris before teaming up with Gadecki to overcome Charles Broom and Olivia Nicholls in mixed doubles 6-3, 7-6 (3). Ultimately, despite their win, Australia did not qualify for the quarterfinals.
