USA clinches United Cup in Sydney with Gauff and Fritz wins

An inspired performance from Coco Gauff has led the USA to their second United Cup title at the Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney on Sunday.

The 2023-24 champions prevailed 2-0 over Poland in the final, with Gauff beating Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-4 and Taylor Fritz edging out Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (4).

Gauff’s victory was her second in a row over Swiatek, and third consecutive victory over opponents in the world top two, having beaten Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals last November.

“I have the belief that I’m one of the best players in the world and when I play good tennis I’m hard to beat,” Gauff said.

“Today I think I played some great tennis.

“I’m glad I was able to get a point for Team USA.

“It was tough today, I’m not going to lie.”

The American showed brilliant defence in her one-hour, 49-minute victory over Swiatek, consistently out-hitting the Pole in drawn out rallies.

She now draws even with Swiatek in Australian Open betting odds ahead of the year’s first Grand Slam beginning on Sunday, January 12, improving to +400 to win the event at Bet365.

Both sit on the second line of tennis betting, behind Aryna Sabalenka (+225).

Fritz’s victory over Hurkacz was far more serve-oriented, with 30 aces and just three break point opportunities over their two-hour, 18-minute clash.

“It’s amazing,” Fritz said.

“It’s almost more fun to win the team events because you have people to celebrate with afterwards.

“Coco made it easy for me as the MVP on the team; it definitely helped my job a lot and it’s great to get it a second time.”

Fritz himself improves to odds of +2800 to win the Australian Open across most tennis bookmakers, having made the final of the US Open in September 2024.

The American sits on the sixth line of betting, behind Jannik Sinner (+150), Carlos Alcaraz (+300), Novak Djokovic (+400), Alexander Zverev (+1000) and Daniil Medvedev (+1400).

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