Jakub Paul, a 26-year-old Swiss tennis player ranked 81st in doubles, has emerged as a surprise hero at the United Cup 2026, winning all four mixed doubles rubbers alongside Belinda Bencic and helping Switzerland reach its first final, despite being relatively unknown and balancing his singles and doubles careers.
Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt chose to rest Alex de Minaur in the decisive mixed doubles match at the United Cup to prevent injury and maintain his health, despite De Minaur's strong singles performance. Hewitt emphasized the importance of player well-being and strategic planning in team competitions.
The United Cup semi-final match between Belgium and Switzerland on January 10, 2026, has been moved to start at 10 a.m. due to forecasted high temperatures, with gates opening at 9 a.m.
Aryna Sabalenka aims for her third Brisbane title as she prepares to face Cristina Bucsa, while Venus Williams competes in Auckland; the United Cup quarterfinals are also underway with Australia and Czechia vying for the Group D lead.
Jakub Mensik, a promising young Czech tennis player who reached the 2022 Australian Open boys' final, is now competing alongside Barbora Krejcikova in the United Cup, with both aiming to win the trophy for the Czech Republic. Krejcikova has been following Mensik's progress since his junior days and praised his powerful serve, which helped him defeat Casper Ruud in their match. The Czech team started strong, winning their first matches convincingly.
Zhang Zhizhen won a grueling match against Zizou Bergs to keep China's hopes alive in the United Cup, while Elise Mertens led Belgium to a strong start with a victory over Zhu Lin, setting the stage for a decisive mixed doubles match in Sydney.
The United Cup begins with notable season debuts, including Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic, as teams from the US, Argentina, France, Switzerland, and others compete in Perth and Sydney, showcasing emerging talents and key matchups.
Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas led Greece to a strong start at the 2026 United Cup in Perth, with Sakkari defeating Naomi Osaka and Tsitsipas winning his match, helping Greece secure a 3-0 victory over Japan.
Argentina secured their first win of the 2026 United Cup in Perth by defeating Spain 3-0, with key victories from Sebastian Baez and Solana Sierra, as they aim to advance out of the group stage for the first time.
The article highlights the opening day of the United Cup in Australia, featuring Naomi Osaka vs. Maria Sakkari, and provides an overview of the tournament, players' backgrounds, and upcoming tennis events in Australia and New Zealand.
Naomi Osaka discusses balancing motherhood and her tennis career at the United Cup in Perth, highlighting her personal growth and new perspective on the sport after becoming a mother. The article also covers other players' seasons and expectations for the upcoming tennis season.