Tennis: Spain–Argentina opens United Cup, Italy debut on Sunday

Milan, Jan. 1 (LaPresse) – The clash between Spain and Argentina, in Group A, will open the fourth edition of the United Cup at Perth’s RAC Arena in the night between 1 and 2 January (Italian time), a mixed-team competition that effectively kicks off the new international tennis season. The first phase features 18 teams divided into six groups; the winners of each group, plus the two best runners-up, will advance to the quarterfinals in a knockout draw. Spain–Argentina will start (at 3:00 Italian time) with the men’s singles between Jaume Munar, ATP No. 33, and Sebastian Baez, ATP No. 45: the head-to-head is tied 1–1, with the 28-year-old from Santanyí winning in the qualifying round in Buenos Aires in 2021 and the 25‑year‑old from Buenos Aires prevailing in the quarterfinals in Santiago, Chile, in 2024, both on clay. This will be followed by the women’s match between Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, WTA No. 41, and Solana Sierra, WTA No. 66: the 23‑year‑old from Villagarcía de Arousa won their only previous meeting in three sets in the second round on the Madrid clay in 2024 against the 21‑year‑old from Mar del Plata. Also on the hard courts of Perth’s RAC Arena, action will then switch to Group E with the tie between Greece and Japan. Italy, led by Jasmine Paolini and Flavio Cobolli, will make its debut on Sunday 4 January against Switzerland at 10:00 Italian time.