China, Kazakhstan start strong as United Cup kicks off

Field Level Media|published: Fri 27th December, 10:42 2024

Aug 15, 2024; Cincinnati, OH, USA ; Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan returns a shot against Leylah Fernandez of Canada on day four of the Cincinnati Open. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

China defeated Brazil and Kazakhstan edged Spain as United Cup action got underway Friday in Australia.

Eighteen nations are competing in the $11 million mixed-gender event in Sydney and Perth through Jan. 5.

China scored a 2-0 win over Brazil in Group E in Perth. Xinyu Gao outlasted Beatriz Haddad Maia 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 in three hours and 22 minutes, the longest WTA singles match in United Cup history. Zhizhen Zhang followed with a 6-3, 6-0 win against Thiago Monteiro in 54 minutes.

Kazakhstan posted a 2-1 victory over Spain in Group C, also in Perth. Pablo Carreno Busta gave Spain an early lead with a 6-2, 6-1 defeat of Alexander Shevchenko, but Elena Rybakina answered with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Rybakina and Shevchenko then pulled out a marathon 7-6 (4), 6-7 (2), 10-7 win over Carreno Busta and Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers.

--Field Level Media