Aurélie Sacchelli, Media365, published on Wednesday January 1, 2025 at 1:59 p.m.
The United States and Kazakhstan (to the detriment of Germany, deprived of Alexander Zverev, injured in the biceps) are the first countries qualified for the semi-finals of the United Cup. Poland, Great Britain and the Czech Republic have qualified for the quarter-finals.
Favorites for this 2025 edition of the United Cup, the United States continue to hold their place, with qualification for the semi-finals. The Americans faced China in the quarterfinals in Perth, and the two singles matches were enough for them to advance to the next round. World No. 3 Coco Gauff first beat 205th Shuai Zhang with a score of 7-6, 6-2 in 1h28, with a first set full of twists and turns (three breaks on each side) then a second better controlled. Then world No. 4 Taylor Fritz challenged another Zhang, Zhizhen, 45th in the world, and he also won: 6-4, 6-4 in 1h16, serving 8 aces and without having the slightest break point to defend . He broke at 3-3 in both sets. In the semi-finals on Saturday in Sydney, the United States will face Italy or the Czech Republic. The Czechs won their ticket to the quarterfinals by finishing best second in the groups playing in the group stage in Sydney. They finished second in Group B behind Poland, who beat them 2-1 on Wednesday. World No. 25 Tomas Machac brought the first point to the Czech Republic by beating No. 16 Hubert Hurkacz 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in 1h56, thanks to a final break at 5-4 in the third set on a shutout. Iga Swiatek therefore had to beat Karolina Muchova to avoid defeat for her country, and the world No. 2 beat No. 22 6-3, 6-4 in 1h56, breaking her opponent four times in four occasions. The Pole had to save a 5-5 ball in the second set, just before concluding. The doubles then saw Swiatek and Hurkacz beat Muchova and Machac 7-6, 6-3 in 1h25 thanks in particular to 11 aces.
Germany loses its title, without Zverev
On Thursday, Poland will challenge Great Britain in the quarter-finals. The British won Group F, in which each of the three teams won and lost a match. This Wednesday, they lost 2-1 against Australia, who were nevertheless eliminated from their home competition. Katie Boulter brought Great Britain the first point by beating Olivia Gadecki 6-2, 6-1 in 1h11, but Alex de Minaur reset the clock by beating Billy Harris by the same score, but in 1h16. In the doubles, the Gadecki-De Minaur pair won 6-3, 7-6 in 1h35 against Olivia Nicholls and Charles Broom, but that changed nothing for Australia, they were eliminated. In the other quarter-final taking place this Wednesday, Kazakhstan eliminated defending champion Germany. The German team was without Alexander Zverev, injured in the biceps and who did not want to take any risks ahead of the Australian Open. After the 6-3, 6-1 victory in 1h01 of world No. 6 Elena Rybakina over 80th Laura Siegemund in a perfectly controlled match (6 aces, 73% of first serves, no breaks conceded), it is therefore Daniel Masur who was to keep Germany alive. But the 254th in the world lost in three sets against the 78th Alexander Shevchenko: 6-7, 6-2, 6-2. The Kazakh, author of 11 aces, therefore qualifies his country for the semi-finals. Kazakhstan will face Poland or Great Britain.
