Gauff steadies US ship in Perth opener
Coco Gauff turned early pressure into poise as the defending champions clawed a 2–1 United Cup win over Argentina, her doubles clincher capping a night of upsets and resolve in Group A.
In the charged buzz of Perth’s RAC Arena, World No. 3 Coco Gauff launched her 2026 campaign by guiding the defending champion United States to a 2–1 victory over Argentina in their United Cup Group A opener. Sebastian Baez’s career-best upset of No. 6 Taylor Fritz handed Argentina a 1–0 lead, but Gauff leveled the tie with a commanding 6–1, 6–1 win over No. 66 Solana Sierra in 57 minutes. She then paired with Christian Harrison to seal the deal, defeating Maria Lourdes Carle and Guido Andreozzi 6–4, 6–1 in mixed doubles.
The indoor hard courts in Perth favored quick adjustments, and Gauff’s blend of heavy topspin and precise angles overwhelmed Sierra from the start. This marked Sierra’s first career top-10 matchup, a steep test against Gauff’s undefeated United Cup singles record from 2025. With the US facing Spain next on January 5, Gauff’s composure set an early tone for the grueling season ahead.
“I feel like I can play even better, too, which is even more exciting,” Gauff said on court after the match. “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.”
Baez ignites Argentine fire early
Baez, ranked No. 45, delivered his second career top-10 victory by toppling Fritz 4–6, 7–5, 6–4, rallying from a set and break down in a match that swung on deep returns and flat inside-in forehands. Fritz’s serve, usually a weapon in the 130s mph range, faltered as Baez chipped returns to neutralize it, forcing errors on second deliveries where the American won just 45 percent of points. The crowd’s roar peaked when Baez saved a break point at 5–4 in the third and clinched with a volley into the open court, building on his Friday win over Spain’s Jaume Munar in Argentina’s 3–0 rout of the Spaniards.
This breakthrough, Baez’s first over Fritz after five losses, shifted the psychological tide, testing the US resolve under the weight of their title defense. The fast surface amplified Baez’s counterpunching, turning defensive crosscourts into offensive opportunities that exposed Fritz’s spin-reliant patterns. Argentina’s momentum briefly silenced the split Perth faithful, but the tie’s drama demanded a response.
“I am so happy right now,” Baez said on court. “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.”
Gauff dominates with baseline control
Gauff raced to a 5–0 lead in the first set against Sierra, breaking twice with crosscourt backhands that stretched the court wide while holding through three service games and saving two break points. Sierra held in the sixth to spark cheers, but Gauff closed the set 6–1 in 30 minutes, limiting her to seven points on serve and absorbing occasional down-the-line passes with sharp movement. The second set echoed the pattern, Gauff’s 1–2 combinations—deep serves followed by aggressive forehands—overpowering Sierra’s flat groundstrokes on the medium-paced indoor hard.
Fresh from yesterday’s play, Sierra struggled to find rhythm, her inside-out attempts neutralized by Gauff’s depth and variety in spin. Undefeated in last year’s United Cup singles, Gauff turned opening-night nerves into clinical execution, her first 2026 win a statement of tactical growth. This leveled the score at 1–1, propelling the action to mixed doubles where US momentum could tip the scales.
Check the United Cup: Scores for live updates, and follow the United Cup: Standings as Group A heats up.
Mixed doubles delivers decisive edge
Gauff and Harrison controlled the baseline before transitioning assertively to the net, breaking early in both sets against Carle and Andreozzi to secure the 6–4, 6–1 win in 63 minutes. Gauff’s volleys cleaned up short balls, while Harrison’s overheads smothered lobs, their one–two poaching disrupting Argentina’s conservative play. The indoor conditions amplified their aggression, quelling any upset threat and clinching the US at 1–0 in the group.
For Argentina, quarterfinal hopes now rest on their rematch with Spain, after the earlier sweep. Gauff eyes Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on January 5, a clash where her surface savvy could build vital early rhythm. In Perth’s electric close, Gauff’s arc from singles poise to doubles command hints at the mental layers that will define the US push through majors and beyond.
