Key Takeaways
- The United Cup quarterfinals are underway, with the United States facing Greece and Switzerland facing Argentina.
- The United States has won two of the three United Cup titles, but faces a significant test against Greece due to a format quirk.
- Belinda Bencic is leading Switzerland again, after steadily working back from maternity leave, and is 4–0 across singles and doubles.
- Poland can clinch the Group F title and a quarterfinal berth against Australia, with World No. 2 Iga Swiatek facing Suzan Lamens.
- Several headliners make their season debuts at the Brisbane International, including No. 2-seeded Amanda Anisimova and No. 4 Jessica Pegula.
Introduction to the United Cup Quarterfinals
The United Cup quarterfinals are taking place on Wednesday, with two compelling matches scheduled to take place in Perth. The first match features the United States taking on Greece, while the second match pits unbeaten Switzerland against Argentina. The United States has won two of the three United Cup titles, but faces a significant test against Greece due to a format quirk. As Group A winner, Team USA was meant to play Perth’s best runner-up, Argentina, but they already met in group play. Instead, the Americans face Greece, the Group E champion.
United States vs. Greece Quarterfinal
The United States vs. Greece quarterfinal is expected to be a closely contested match, with both teams featuring talented players. The match begins with Coco Gauff taking on a resurgent Maria Sakkari, with their head-to-head tied at 5-5. However, Gauff won both meetings last year in Indian Wells and Miami, each in straight sets. Stefanos Tsitsipas leads Taylor Fritz 3-2 in their ATP Head2Head, and the two are expected to have a closely contested match. Gauff and Christian Harrison clinched both U.S. wins in mixed doubles, and will look to repeat their success against Sakkari and Tsitsipas.
Switzerland vs. Argentina Quarterfinal
The Switzerland vs. Argentina quarterfinal features Belinda Bencic leading Switzerland again, after steadily working back from maternity leave. Bencic is 4–0 across singles and doubles, including the deciding mixed doubles win with Jakub Paul to send Switzerland into the quarterfinals. She opens against Solana Sierra in their first career meeting, and is expected to have a strong match. Stan Wawrinka has also been outstanding, producing two long matches including a deciding-set tiebreak win over Arthur Rinderknech. He faces Sebastian Baez, and the two are expected to have a closely contested match.
Other United Cup Matches
In addition to the quarterfinals, several other United Cup matches are taking place on Wednesday. Poland can clinch the Group F title and a quarterfinal berth against Australia, with World No. 2 Iga Swiatek facing Suzan Lamens. Swiatek needed two-and-a-half hours to defeat Eva Lys on Monday, improving to 12-2 overall at the United Cup and winning for the 31st time in her past 32 matches against players ranked outside the Top 40. Lamens, ranked No. 97, pushed Swiatek to three sets at last year’s US Open.
Brisbane International
The Brisbane International is also underway, with several headliners making their season debuts. No. 2-seeded Amanda Anisimova, No. 4 Jessica Pegula, and No. 6 Mirra Andreeva all take the court on Wednesday. No. 8 Clara Tauson also opens play, and Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa return as a team in the quarterfinals. Sabalenka starts hot in Brisbane with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Bucsa, and is expected to have a strong tournament.
ASB Classic
The ASB Classic is also taking place, with 18-year-old American Iva Jovic headlining Wednesday’s action. Jovic continues her breakthrough week, and faces Sara Bejlek in the next round. Sinja Kraus and Francesca Jones also take the court, and Shuko Aoyama and Magda Linette face Guo Hanyu and Kristina Mladenovic in doubles. The ASB Classic features a strong field, and is expected to be a closely contested tournament.