Poland and Germany win openers at United Cup

Poland, Germany, China and the Netherlands won their openers on Saturday at the United Cup in Australia.

Poland beat Brazil 2-0 in Group A action in Perth. Iga Swiatek defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2, 6-2 and Hubert Hurkacz rallied for a 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-3 victory over Thiago Seyboth Wild.

Germany defeated Italy 2-1 in Group D play in Sydney. Jasmine Paolini gave Italy the early lead with a 6-4, 7-5 win against Angelique Kerber. Alexander Zverev came to the rescue, beating Lorenzo Sonego 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 and then pairing with Kerber in a 6-3, 6-0 defeat of Sonego and Angelica Moratelli.

China posted a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic in Group E in Perth. Zhizhen Zhang outlated Jiri Lehecka 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 and Qinwen Zheng held off Marketa Vondrousova 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 in singles play. Zhang and Zheng rolled to a 6-1, 6-2 defeat of Lehecka and Vondrousova in mixed doubles.

The Netherlands defeated Norway 2-1 in Group F in Sydney. Arantxa Rus put the Dutch ahead with a 7-6 (4), 6-1 win against Malene Helgo before Casper Ruud evened the score with a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Tallon Griekspoor. The tandem of Demi Schuurs and Wesley Koolhof secured the win with a 7-6 (5), 7-5 victory against Ruud and Ulrikke Eikeri.

—Field Level Media