In their first meeting at the United Cup, a combined ATP/WTA team event, Argentina got off to a perfect start by overpowering Spain to launch the nation’s campaign with a 3-0 triumph, leading Group A.
Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari led Team Greece to the top, drawn in Group E, courtesy of dominant performances both in singles and doubles, building a 3-0 victory over Japan, making its debut at the event.
The fourth edition of the competition saw Argentina kick off play at RAC Arena against Spain in the day session, finishing the tie with a 3-0 triumph to lead Group A.
In the first match of the venue, World No. 45 Sebastian Baez secured a dominant 6-4, 6-4 win over Spaniard Jaume Munar in one hour and 43 minutes, becoming the first player on tour to win a match in 2026.
“I really enjoyed this moment, enjoyed the time on court, so happy to have won this point for Argentina,” he stated after the encounter.
The 25-year-old, born in Buenos Aires, started the year on a high note, having struggled with multiple injuries the last couple of years.
“I am happy because I am recovering from some pain and some injuries from the past two years. So, of course, I want more. I know I have more. I have some confidence, and I believe in my team and in my country,” said the seven-time ATP titlist.
Then, Argentine Solana Sierra, the first Lucky Loser to reach the round of 16 at Wimbledon in the Open Era last season, met world No. 41 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, extending her country’s advantage to 2-0 with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-0 win over the Spanish player.
Embodying the never-give-up spirit, she recovered from a dramatic second set to outclass her adversary in the third, sealing a commanding victory after two hours of play.
“It was a really tough match. I just tried to focus on my game. I was doing really well, then at 5-2 in the second set, I was not playing too well. But I’m really proud of how I kept going in the third set,” Sierra outlined.
Argentine duo Guido Andreozzi and Maria Lourdes Carle rounded up a perfect day down under by edging Yvonne Carvalle-Reimers and Inigo Cervantes 7-6(6), 6-2 in the mixed doubles matchup.
On Saturday, Argentina will face Group A top seed and defending champions Team USA, represented by WTA world No. 3 Coco Gauff and ATP No. 6 Taylor Fritz in singles.
Greece and Japan squared off in the night session, which opened with a blockbuster between Sakkari and Naomi Osaka, playing for the first time at the venue.
The world No. 52 made a solid start to her 2026 campaign, taking the former world number one by storm with a 6-4, 6-2 win in one hour and 33 minutes, putting Greece in front 1-0 in their tie against Japan.
“You’re always very hesitant when you come in that first match because sometimes you can trick yourself that you had a good preseason, and then you have high expectations to come out and do everything,” Sakkari shared.
The 30-year-old controlled the match, imposing her game against the four-time major champion, who on Saturday night will star in a much-anticipated box office playing former US Open winner Emma Raducanu, representing Great Britain in Group E.
The women’s tie was followed by the return from injury of Greece’s No. 1 racquet, Tsitsipas.
Coming off the back of a 2025 season disrupted by a back injury, the former Nitto ATP Finals champion showcased a consistent, spirited display to grab a 6-3, 6-4 victory over world No. 99 Shintaro Mochizuki in 82 minutes.
“It’s been a rough few months for me,” asserted the 27-year-old from Athens. “I was in a lot of uncertainty, and I was not sure if I could really compete, so to see myself at that level again and showing some really good tennis is something Im grateful for. Let’s keep it going.”
With the tie in their pocket, Sakkari and Tsitsipas head back to center court, outlasting the Japanese pair Yasutaka Uchiyama and Nao Hibino 6-2, 6-3 to close out a 3-0 win in the group stage.
United Cup 4.0
According to the rules, the group stage matches will consist of three groups of three countries, competing round-robin style.
Each session will feature three matches: one ATP singles match, one WTA singles match, and one mixed doubles match. Both singles matches will feature the No. 1-ranked single player within the team.
Group winners in each city advance to the quarterfinals, with one quarterfinal spot in each city awarded to the best runner-up.
Across 10 days (January 2-11), the host cities of Perth and Sydney will welcome an 18-country line-up; each city serving as home for nine teams.
Team USA, Spain, Argentina (Group A), Greece, Japan, Great Britain (Group E), Switzerland, Italy, and France (Group C) are all based in Perth.
Meanwhile, in Sydney, the Ken Rosewall Arena will welcome Team Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, China, Australia (host country), Czechia, and Norway, starting proceedings on Saturday.
Sydney will also host the semifinals, followed by the United Cup Final on Sunday, 11, 2026.