The United Cup mixed teams event kicks off Friday in Perth, with Sydney’s competition set to begin Saturday.
Australian hope Alex de Minaur enters the tournament with momentum, following his career-best season that included ATP Finals qualification and a memorable victory over Novak Djokovic in Perth last year. De Minaur’s preparation continued Thursday under national captain Lleyton Hewitt’s guidance, including practice with Czech player Tomas Machac. A historical footnote connects the teams, as Czech captain Daniel Vacek holds a 1-1 record against Hewitt, including a five-set victory at the 1998 Australian Open.
Italy’s campaign features WTA World No. 4 Jasmine Paolini, alongside men’s singles representative Flavio Cobolli and potential mixed doubles asset Andrea Vavassori, who was part of 2024’s Fans’ Favourite doubles team with Simone Bolelli.
Argentina’s hopes rest with Tomas Martin Etcheverry in Group F, which includes Australia and Great Britain. Captain Horacio De La Peรฑa supervised Etcheverry’s training session with Brisbane-bound Jordan Thompson.
Sydney’s opening matches feature France’s Ugo Humbert against Switzerland’s Dominic Stricker, marking Belinda Bencic’s return following her 2024 childbirth. The evening session showcases De Minaur’s Australia facing Etcheverry’s Argentina.
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