ATP Tour

Fritz faces resurgent Tsitsipas as United Cup QFs begin in Perth

The United States will continue its pursuit of dynasty status at the United Cup on Wednesday in Perth, where they are into the quarter-finals for the third time in four years.

Two-time champion USA, led by Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz, face a resurgent Greece at 10 a.m. local time, before Switzerland take on best-placed runners-up Argentina in the second quarter-final at 5 p.m.

Here we go! The Quarterfinalists for Perth have been set 🔒

Day Session: USA v Greece
Night Session: Switzerland v Argentina

Who progresses to Sydney?🤔 pic.twitter.com/UyWPYw66wB

— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 6, 2026

USA vs. Greece [10 a.m.]
Gauff and Fritz topped Group A after twice being pushed to deciding mixed-doubles rubbers, repeatedly leaning on one another under pressure. Against Argentina, Gauff was forced into double duty after Fritz fell in a gruelling two-and-a-half-hour loss to Sebastian Baez, but he responded by saving a match point to defeat Jaume Munar en route to clinching their quarter-final spot.

Sakkari and Tsitsipas, both former World No. 3s who are looking revitalised after challenging 2025 seasons, now pose a stern test. Each went 2-0 in singles in Group E, with Tsitsipas holding a 3-2 Lexus ATP Head2Head advantage over Fritz despite the American winning their past two meetings, including at the 2024 Australian Open. While Fritz has remained a Top 10 staple, Tsitsipas slipped outside the Top 20 for the first time since 2018 last year when he struggled with a back injury and searched for form.

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The signs suggest Tsitsipas has begun 2026 recharged, having spoken of his ambition to return to a Grand Slam final and backing it up on court in Perth. Sakkari has also impressed, defeating Naomi Osaka in straight sets before finally overcoming Emma Raducanu on her fifth attempt.

“She really showed incredible tennis today, a lot of improvements she has made to her game,” Tsitsipas said of Sakkari after her win over Raducanu. “The shots are there. She has those shots. How can we utilise those to take them to the maximum? She actually did that with brave tennis and going for the kill.”

Gauff, a two-time major champion, will look to bounce back from her loss to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, though USA may again rely on her if the tie comes down to mixed doubles, having won both deciding rubbers alongside Christian Harrison.

Switzerland vs. Argentina [5 p.m.]
Stan Wawrinka continues to add intrigue to his farewell United Cup campaign, with the 40-year-old already spending six hours on court across two marathon singles matches. He produced a stirring final-set tie-break win over Arthur Rinderknech before falling in another against Flavio Cobolli.

Belinda Bencic has been the Swiss linchpin, winning both of her singles matches and delivering alongside Jakub Paul in a deciding mixed-doubles victory over Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori. She opens against Solana Sierra as Switzerland seek to extend their run against an Argentine team that has already exceeded expectations in Perth.

“We’re living in Belinda's world again,” Wawrinka said after Switzerland’s tie against Italy. “She's showing us why we're here again. In general I'm quite happy with my level. Of course, I would have loved to win it. But they finished the job. We are happy as a team. That is the most important.”

Wawrinka now faces Baez, with the three-time major champion hoping to deliver another eye-catching performance. His endurance has been tested early, but his ability to rise in big moments has remained a hallmark of the first tournament of his final season on Tour.