Resilient USA and rejuvenated Greece secure United Cup quarterfinal berths

Team USA and a resurgent Team Greece secured their spots in the Perth quarterfinals.

Taylor Fritz, United Cup 2026 | © Tennis Australia / Getty Images

January 5, 2026

The 2026 United Cup knockout stage is taking shape as defending champions Team USA and a resurgent Team Greece secured their spots in the Perth quarterfinals. On a day defined by grueling physical battles and emotional breakthroughs, both powerhouse nations navigated high-stakes ties to keep their title ambitions alive.

USA Overcomes “Crazy” Drama to Top Group A

Team USA’s path to the quarterfinals was anything but straightforward. The day began with a shock as world No. 4 Coco Gauff suffered her first-ever United Cup defeat, falling 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-0 to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Gauff, who was 9-0 in the competition across singles and doubles entering the day, struggled with 14 double faults and 54 unforced errors.

The burden of survival fell to Taylor Fritz, who produced a heroic performance against Jaume Munar. Despite battling persistent knee tendonitis and a bloodied toe that required a medical timeout, Fritz saved a match point in a tense third-set tie-break to prevail 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(6) after over three hours.

“I need these matches,” Fritz said of the three-set marathon. “My off-season was mainly focused on rehabbing… I’m not very match fit, so this is absolutely what I need to get ready for Australia.”

Gauff later found redemption in the mixed doubles, partnering with Christian Harrison for a 7-6(5), 6-0 win over Cervantes and Cavalle-Reimers, officially clinching Group A for the Americans.

The Tsitsipas – Sakkari effect

In Group E, Team Greece continued its dominance as Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas both notched gritty three-set wins to eliminate Great Britain. The highlight of the night was Sakkari’s 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Emma Raducanu, marking Sakkari’s first career win against the Briton after four previous losses.

“I had four losses against her, so it was about time to take a win,” Sakkari admitted. She credited Tsitsipas for his courtside “coaching” and high tennis IQ. “Having his input was amazing… it’s great that it comes from another player that really understands how you feel at that specific moment.”

Tsitsipas, who earlier battled past Billy Harris 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4), echoed the sentiment of using the United Cup as a vital platform for health and rhythm following his own injury-plagued 2025. “The absence from the court teaches you so much,” Tsitsipas reflected. “Health is the most important thing. If you manage to get healthy, then competition is fun.”

With the USA, Greece, and Switzerland confirmed for the Perth quarterfinals, the attention shifts to Sydney. Australia is set to face Czechia in a decisive Group D clash tonight, with Alex de Minaur taking on rising star Jakub Mensik. Meanwhile, the battle for the “best runner-up” spots remains wide open, with Argentina currently leading the clubhouse in Perth with a 1-1 tie record.

UNITED CUP STANDINGS

PERTH – RAC ARENA, RANKINGS

Group A: USA (2-0) [Qualified], Argentina (1-1), Spain (0-2)
Group C: Switzerland (2-0) [Qualified], Italy (0-1), France (0-1)
Group E: Greece (2-0) [Qualified], Great Britain (1-1), Japan (0-2)

SYDNEY – KEN ROSEWALL ARENA, RANKINGS

Group B: Canada (1-0), China (1-1), Belgium (0-1)
Group D: Czechia (1-0), Australia (1-0), Norway (0-2)
Group F: Poland (1-0), Germany (1-1), Netherlands (0-1)

ORDER OF PLAY – TUESDAY, 6 JANUARY 2026

PERTH (Group C: Italy vs France)

10:00 AM AWST: Flavio Cobolli (ITA) vs Arthur Rinderknech (FRA)
Followed by: Jasmine Paolini (ITA) vs Leolia Jeanjean (FRA)
Followed by: S. Errani / A. Vavassori (ITA) vs T. Rakotomanga Rajaonah / E. Roger-Vasselin (FRA)

SYDNEY (Group B: Canada vs Belgium)

10:30 AM AEDT: Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) vs Zizou Bergs (BEL)
Followed by: Victoria Mboko (CAN) vs Elise Mertens (BEL)
Followed by: V. Mboko / F. Auger-Aliassime (CAN) vs E. Mertens / Z. Bergs (BEL)

SYDNEY (Group D: Australia vs Czechia)