PERTH, Australia — The United States team, led by a dominant Coco Gauff, mounted a comeback to defeat Argentina 2-1 in their opening United Cup tie on Saturday. The defending champions found themselves in an early deficit after Argentina’s Sebastian Baez delivered a stunning upset over world No. 6 Taylor Fritz with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory, despite the American’s powerful serve producing 23 aces.
Gauff responded with an emphatic 6-1, 6-1 demolition of Solana Sierra, demonstrating the form that has made her one of tennis’s most promising stars. The match culminated in a mixed doubles decider where Gauff partnered with Christian Harrison to secure the tie against Maria Lourdes Carle and Guido Andreozzi 6-4, 6-1.
In parallel action, Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka embarked on what he has indicated will be his final professional season with a dramatic three-set victory over France’s Arthur Rinderknech. The 40-year-old, three-time Grand Slam champion battled for nearly three and a half hours to prevail 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(5), giving Switzerland an unassailable 2-0 lead. Teammate Belinda Bencic had earlier set the tone with a commanding 6-2, 6-4 win over Leolia Jeanjean, with the Swiss team completing a clean sweep by taking the mixed doubles for a 3-0 final scoreline.
Other notable results saw China’s Zhang Zhizhen lead his team to a 2-1 victory over Belgium in Sydney, while Norway’s Casper Ruud delivered a commanding 6-3, 6-3 performance against Australian number one Alex de Minaur. The Australian team nonetheless secured a 2-1 win overall, thanks to substitute Storm Hunter’s 6-2, 7-6(3) victory over Malene Helgo and a subsequent doubles win with partner John-Patrick Smith.
The United Cup, featuring 18 nations competing across Perth and Sydney, serves as a premier mixed-team event building momentum toward the Australian Open later this month.