Team Argentina and defending champions USA faced off in the second day of action at the United Cup in the night session on Saturday in Perth.
The two-time title winners took a 2-1 triumph over Argentina, who made a strong start with Sebastian Baez upsetting world No. 6 Taylor Fritz at the RAC Arena in three sets.
Making their third appearance at the combined ATP/WTA team event, Argentina kicked off its campaign on Friday against Spain, pocketing its opening tie with a flawless 3-0 score.
World No. 45 Baez opened tennis action in Perth in style, becoming the first player on tour to win a match in 2026, securing a dominant 6-4, 6-4 win over Spaniard Jaume Munar on debut.
On Saturday, the 25-year-old stunned Fritz, recording a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory in two gruelling hours and 33 minutes to give Argentina a 1-0 lead over the North American team.
The seven-time ATP titlist’s unrelenting grit and power moved him forward to put in motion an impressive comeback when trailing by a set and a break.
Having struggled with multiple injuries the last couple of years, Baez, a former world No. 18, came into the new season bidding to recover lost ground.
Midway through the second set, he flipped the script, dictating play from the baseline, quickly becoming the man to beat courtesy of a booming serve and a round performance overall.
“I am so happy right now,” he expressed after earning the biggest win of his career. “We have been searching for this feeling for many years, and I am happy to give this point to Argentina. Thank you to the crowd. I felt very comfortable today.”
However, world No. 3 Coco Gauff, in double duty on Saturday, turned the tables, helping her country bounce back to notch a 2-1 tie win in Australia.
With an emphatic showing, the Roland-Garros champion dismantled Solana Sierra, 6-1, 6-1 in just 57 minutes, forcing a deciding mixed doubles.
She partnered with Christian Harrison to secure a pivotal 6-4, 6-1 win against Maria Lourdes Carle and Guido Andreozzi in 63 minutes.
In her on-court interview, the two-time major winner outlined, “I feel like I can play even better too, which is even more exciting.
“It’s always tough starting the first match of the season, especially against an opponent like her and someone who played yesterday. I’m really happy with how I managed all those emotions.”
On Monday, the top seeds will meet Team Spain, aiming for a first-place finish in Group A to advance to the quarterfinals.
According to the rules, group winners in each city advance to the quarterfinals, with one quarterfinal spot in each city awarded to the best runner-up.
Format
Running from January 2 through 11, 2026, the competition reunites a high-caliber 18-nation field in a mixed team format.
Each team line-up consists of six players and their captain; the 18 teams are split into nine groups between the host cities of Perth and Sydney.
USA, Spain, Argentina (Group A), Greece, Japan, Great Britain (Group E), Switzerland, Italy, and France (Group C) are all based in Perth.
Meanwhile, the Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney hosts action for Team Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, China, Australia (host country), Czechia, and Norway.
Sydney will also host the semifinals, followed by the United Cup Final on Sunday, 11, 2026.