Team Kazakhstan is through to the knockout semifinals in Sydney, following world No. 6 Elena Rybakina and teammate Alexander Shevchenko singles matches wins against title defenders Team Germany on Wednesday night.
In its group stage, the country prevailed over Team Spain and Greece, advancing to the last eight for the first time at the international mixed team competition.
Next, the team will travel to Sydney, where it will play in the knockout semifinals against the winner of the quarterfinal tie between Poland and Great Britain.
Rybakina, 25, who gave her nation a 1-0 lead after producing a statement 6-3, 6-1 victory over German Laura Siegemund, spoke about her first experience competing at the tournament after the match.
“All the guys are pretty funny, and it’s nice to play a team competition,” the former Wimbledon champion said.
“It’s so rare that we get a chance to do that. I’m so happy to be here. Also, the first time in Perth. I really like everything.”
The 8-time WTA titlist showcased a consistent, powerful serve display, winning 79 percent of her first-serve points throughout the encounter.
Then, Alexander Shevchenko wrapped up proceedings by recording a hard-earned 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-2 battle against world No. 254 Daniel Masur.
The 30-year-old replaced world No. 2 Alexander Zverev, who withdrew from his tie due to a bicep strain.
Despite striving not only with a fierce opponent but also with the Australian heat, world No. 78 Shevchenko accomplished the feat to keep his nation in contention for the title.
“I’m really proud that I found this win for our team because I was fighting hard,” the Kazakh commented.
“I saw the faces of my team, and they didn’t want to go to a decider. I was also a little bit nervous because I knew if I won, the tie was over.”
Rounding up action, Tim Puetz partnered with Siegemund, notching a 6-2, 6-2 win playing the mixed doubles over Zhibek Kulambayeva and Dmitry Popko duo.
On a further note, Rybakina announced through social media that former coach Stefano Vukov will rejoin her team for the 2025 season.
After they parted ways last year, she hired Goran Ivanisevic as her new coach.
Meanwhile, Team USA, champions of the United Cup inaugural edition (2023), secured their country’s spot in the last four after sealing a perfect 3-0 tie against China.
Next, the Americans will face Italy or Czechia for a place in the final.
World No.3 Coco Gauff put her team ahead after rallying past Zhang Shuai to nail a 7-6(4), 6-2 triumph. The 20-year-old is yet to lose a match at the venue’s third edition.
Assessing her singles match, she outlined: “Against Shuai, I had to hit an ace to win the point. She was playing amazing tennis out there.”
“The harder I hit, the harder she was hitting. I felt like I couldn’t get her on defense. She was playing so aggressively on me, and I felt like I had to go more on my second serves, which brought in more double faults, but if I just put it in, it was a return winner. So I had to take my chances.”
World No. 4 Taylor Fritz hit the court to meet Zhang Zhizhen in the men’s singles clash.
In blistering form, the American player put to good use his booming serve, opening the way to complete a 6-4, 6-4 win in 79 minutes to end the hopes of the Chinese team, which matched its last year’s performance, halted in the quarterfinals.
“Towards the end of last year, I made a lot of improvements to my game, and I started to believe that the average level I felt I could produce every day was enough to beat a lot of the higher-ranked guys, who before I thought I had to play incredible to beat,” the 2024 US Open runner-up stressed.
Desirae Krawczyk and Robert Galloway closed out the quarterfinal tie with a 6-3, 6-7(1), 10-3 triumph playing doubles against Chinese duo Zhang and Sun Fajing 6-3, 6-7(1), 10-3, finishing on a high note before heading to Sydney.