SYDNEY, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Argentina swept Spain 3-0 on Friday in Perth, Australia, to kick-start the season-opening United Cup, an ATP-WTA event where China will strive to make a breakthrough to advance beyond the quarterfinals.
In searing conditions, Sebastian Baez gave Argentina the perfect start after beating Jaume Munar 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 43 minutes.
The 45th ranked Baez defied Munar, who fired down seven aces but struggled for consistency in the backcourt rallies.
"I really enjoyed this moment, enjoyed the time on court, so happy to have won this point for Argentina," Baez said.
World No. 66 Solana Sierra clinched the tie for Argentina in Group A with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-0 triumph over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
Guido Andreozzi and Maria Lourdes Carle then defeated Inigo Cervantes and Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers in straight sets 7-6(6), 6-2 to complete Argentina's perfect performance at the 15,000-seat RAC Arena.
Organized by the ATP and WTA, the fourth edition of the mixed-team event held in Sydney and Perth effectively launches the 2026 international tennis season ahead of the Australian Open, which is annually the first grand slam on the calendar.
The 18 teams of the United Cup are drawn into six groups in a round-robin format with the group winners and two best-performing runners-up securing their place into the quarter-finals.
The tournament format features men's and women's singles followed by a mixed doubles match.
Four of the world's top ranked men's and women's players will feature at the United Cup culminating with the final on Jan. 11 in Sydney.
China starts their campaign against Belgium on Saturday in Sydney as they eye a deep run having been knocked out at the quarterfinal stage in the past two editions.
Second seed Canada, who is led by men's world No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime, is also in Group B.
China's team captain Wu Di said at the pre-match media conference on Friday that although the team performed well in the past two editions, the challenge this year may be even greater.
Still, veteran player Zhu Lin, the reigning women's singles National Games champion, "has given the team an extra boost," Wu said.
Zhang Zhizhen, China's most accomplished men's player, returns to the event and will be partnered by dynamic Zhu, who is competing in the United Cup for the first time.
Having reached a career high of world No. 31 in 2024, a shoulder injury saw Zhang sidelined for six months last year as he tumbled down the rankings.
Now fully fit after returning to the court in the backend of 2025, the 29-year-old Zhang is hoping to start the year in strong fashion at an event he has particularly fond memories.
"I gave my all in recent exhibition matches and my physical condition is currently very good," he said.
Much like Zhang, Zhu is also on the comeback trail after her 2025 season was derailed by an elbow injury.
The former world No. 33 has shown that she has the firepower to match the very best players on the circuit if she can stay fit.
Top seed the United States will once again be led by stars Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz, who last year steered the Americans to a second United Cup title in an unbeaten campaign.
The United States has been drawn in Group A along with Spain and Argentina.
There will be a lot of attention on women's world number two Iga Swiatek, a six-time grand slam champion who is eyeing an elusive Australian Open title.
The reigning Wimbledon champion leads Poland, who have been runners-up at the event for the past two years.
Poland is in a tough Group F with Germany, boasting men's No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev, and the Netherlands.
Host Australia's fortune will rest with Alex de Minaur, the country's top-ranked men's player, while Japanese four-time major winner Naomi Osaka plays the event for the first time. ■
