Table of Contents
Team Canada got the new tennis season off to a dominant start at the United Cup, sweeping China 3-0 behind a gutsy comeback from teenager Victoria Mboko and a strong showing from Felix Auger-Aliassime. Germany followed with a clean win of its own, while Naomi Osaka gave Japan a spark despite their overall tie loss to Great Britain.
Meanwhile, in Brisbane, Frances Tiafoe, Sofia Kenin, and several others posted important opening wins as both ATP and WTA players work into early form ahead of the Australian Open. Across the board, serving efficiency and doubles chemistry were key themes, with several nations already making noise in group play.
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Top Takeaways
- Canada made a statement, sweeping China with no dropped sets in mixed doubles and a comeback win by Victoria Mboko in singles.
- Germany was locked in from start to finish in its 3-0 sweep of the Netherlands. Zverev’s second set looked like mid-season form.
- Naomi Osaka delivered for Japan, showing flashes of dominance, but Great Britain took the tie 2-1 with experience in doubles.
- Tiafoe looked focused and clean in Brisbane, opening with an easy two-set win and dominating his service games.
- Kenin fought through inconsistency, grinding out a three-set win despite six double faults. She showed flashes of her Grand Slam grit.
- Group stage drama is building, with Switzerland and Italy heading into a deciding doubles rubber and several nations prepping for high-stakes Day 2 ties.
Match Recaps
From dominant straight-set wins to deciding doubles showdowns, the day delivered across both United Cup and Brisbane courts. Below, we break down every key result — who delivered, how momentum shifted, and what stood out across the ATP and WTA action.
Canada vs China Recap: Canada wins 3-0
Victoria Mboko’s comeback set the tone for Canada. After losing the first set 2-6, she flipped the match completely, winning 6-2, 6-0 and breaking Zhu’s rhythm with aggressive return play and improved serve placement.
Felix Auger-Aliassime followed with a composed win over Zhang Zhizhen, 6-4, 6-4. It marked his first season-opening match win since 2021 — a needed confidence boost after some late 2023 inconsistencies. He was solid on serve and took advantage of short second returns from Zhang.
In the mixed doubles, Mboko and Auger-Aliassime teamed up to dismantle China’s pairing 6-1, 6-3. Their chemistry was smooth, and they looked like a veteran duo despite the limited time together.
Germany vs Netherlands Recap: Germany wins 3-0
Eva Lys opened for Germany and looked fully settled from the start. She rolled past Suzan Lamens 6-2, 6-2, keeping rallies short and finding easy depth on her returns. It was an ideal United Cup debut for the 21-year-old.
Zverev had a tougher first set but broke open the match with a one-sided 6-0 second set against Griekspoor. His timing off the ground was locked in, and he looked fresh both mentally and physically.
In mixed doubles, Zverev and Laura Siegemund were steady, winning 6-3, 6-2 and breaking serve multiple times with strong net positioning and baseline control.
Great Britain vs Japan Recap: Great Britain wins 2-1
Naomi Osaka showed real flashes of her top form in a 7-6 (4), 6-1 win over Katie Swan, who subbed in for Emma Raducanu (foot injury). Osaka’s first serve percentage rose in the second set, and she hit her spots with ease to finish strong.
Japan couldn’t follow through, though. Billy Harris edged Shintaro Mochizuki 7-6 (4), 6-4 in a tight one that featured few break chances. The mixed doubles team of Neal Skupski and Olivia Nicholls sealed it 6-3, 6-4, using cleaner net play to close out Japan’s comeback hopes.
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Switzerland vs Italy Recap: Tied 1-1 (Mixed Doubles Pending)
Belinda Bencic delivered a solid performance to beat Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 6-3 and get Switzerland on the board. She returned well and kept her unforced errors low.
But Stan Wawrinka dropped a tight three-setter to Flavio Cobolli 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (4). The match lasted over two and a half hours and saw both players save multiple break points in the final set.
The mixed doubles match between Bencic/Paul and Errani/Vavassori will decide the tie.
Brisbane: Frances Tiafoe vs Aleksandar Vukic Recap: Tiafoe wins 6-2, 6-2
Tiafoe opened his season with authority. He didn’t face a single break point and won 82% of points on both first and second serves. He attacked the net selectively and converted 4 of 6 break chances to cruise past Vukic.
Brisbane: Learner Tien vs Camilo Ugo Carabelli Recap: Tien wins 7-6 (4), 6-3
The 18-year-old American held his nerve in a first-set tiebreak before taking control in the second. Tien served at 81% on his first serve and handled pressure moments like a seasoned pro.
Brisbane: Marie Bouzkova vs Jaqueline Cristian Recap: Bouzkova wins 6-4, 6-3
Bouzkova delivered a confident baseline-heavy performance, landing six aces and breaking Cristian five times. Her return game was sharp, forcing Cristian into long rallies and tough court positions.
Brisbane: Sofia Kenin vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse Recap: Kenin wins 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
Kenin was inconsistent on serve (six double faults) but stayed aggressive on return and played the big points better in the third. She absorbed Ruse’s power and found more depth in closing stretches.
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Other Brisbane Winners
- Anastasia Potapova stayed solid from the baseline in a 6-3, 6-4 win.
- Sorana Cirstea used angles and court awareness to dismantle her opponent.
- Ajla Tomljanovic, returning from injury, looked composed and focused in her straight-sets win.
- McCartney Kessler, the American wild card, impressed with controlled aggression and clean serving.
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