China and Kazakhstan Secure Early Wins as United Cup Opens

The mixed-gender tennis tournament featuring 18 nations begins in Australia with strong performances from China and Kazakhstan.

China defeated Brazil 2-0 in Group E play, with Xinyu Gao winning the longest WTA singles match in United Cup history and Zhizhen Zhang securing a dominant victory.
Kazakhstan edged Spain 2-1 in Group C, with Elena Rybakina earning a singles win and teaming with Alexander Shevchenko to clinch the deciding mixed doubles match.
Rybakina, ranked world number six, marked her United Cup debut with a commanding singles performance and credited her new coach, Goran Ivanisevic, for her preparation.
Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta gave his team an early lead after defeating Shevchenko in their singles match, but Spain fell short in the mixed doubles decider.
The United Cup, offering $11 million in prize money, features teams of three men and three women competing in singles and mixed doubles matches through January 5 in Perth and Sydney.