Gao Xinyu (L) of China shakes hand with Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil after their women's singles match in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
SYDNEY, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Gao Xinyu came back from one set down and Zhang Zhizhen was almost flawless as China started the mixed team United Cup with a 3-0 victory over Brazil in Perth on Friday.
China had a 2-0 lead ahead of the mixed doubles after Gao and Zhang prevailed in contrasting singles matches at RAC Arena.
Fifth-seeded China's chances of a deep run in the tournament appeared to take a major hit when women's world No. 5 Zheng Qinwen pulled out as she prioritized rest ahead of the Australian Open.
But the 175th-ranked Gao filled her shoes brilliantly after bravely overcoming cramp to edge Beatriz Haddad Maia 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 in a three-hour, 22-minute thriller that was the longest women's singles match in the tournament's history.
Gao required a medical timeout in the second set and had her left thigh heavily strapped before the 17th-ranked Haddad Maia also succumbed to cramp during a gripping third set and resorted to several underhand serves.
Haddad Maia moved better after that, but Gao was not to be denied and clinched the biggest victory of her career in her first match against a top 50-ranked player.
"I have no idea what happened, my brain was empty and my whole body was cramping," Gao said. "It's a really big stage and it was a high quality match. I just pushed myself."
It was far easier for the 45th-ranked Zhang, who thrashed Thiago Monteiro 6-3, 6-0 in a 54-minute demolition. Zhang dictated rallies from the back of the court and completely overwhelmed his 109th-ranked opponent to ensure China sealed the Group E tie.
"Yes, because of my team, they're doing a very good job," Zhang said when asked if he was a better player than 12 months ago.
He went on to prevail in the mixed doubles together with Zhang Shuai, beating Brazil's Carolina Alves and Rafael Matos 6-4, 7-5.
Earlier, Kazakhstan launched the tournament and the new tennis season with a tough 2-1 victory over Spain in Group C action.
Spain took the opening victory after former world No. 10 Pablo Carreno Busta thrashed Alexander Shevchenko 6-2, 6-1 in 64 minutes.
The pressure was on world No. 6 Elena Rybakina, who responded with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. She jumped out of the blocks with a 4-0 lead and cruised to victory despite Bouzas Maneiro putting up a fight.
It was a strong start to Rybakina's quest of adding a second Grand Slam trophy to her memorable victory at Wimbledon in 2022, where she became the first player representing Kazakhstan to win a Grand Slam title.
Rybakina was runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka at the 2023 Australian Open, but couldn't replicate that success earlier this year at Melbourne Park after crashing to a shock second-round exit at the hands of Anna Blinkova.
"It was a really tough one, first matches are always difficult," Rybakina said. "I'm really happy with the way I played today. I'm focusing on the Grand Slams and trying to get some big titles."
Rybakina and Shevchenko clinched a thrilling 7-6 (4), 6-7 (2), 10-7 victory in the deciding mixed doubles over Carreno Busta and Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers.
The action in Sydney will start on Saturday with France playing Switzerland before host Australia takes on Argentina.
Croatia faces Canada on Day 2 in Perth, while men's star Stefanos Tsitsipas leads Greece against Spain. ■
Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil celebrates scoring during the women's singles match against Gao Xinyu of China in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Gao Xinyu of China hits a return during the women's singles match against Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua)
Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil hits a return during the women's singles match against Gao Xinyu of China in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua)
Gao Xinyu (front R) of China and Beatriz Haddad Maia (front L) of Brazil pose for a photo before their women's singles match in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua)
Gao Xinyu of China competes during the women's singles match against Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua)
Gao Xinyu of China celebrates scoring during the women's singles match against Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Gao Xinyu of China hits a return during the women's singles match against Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Members of Team China attend the media conference after the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Gao Xinyu of China speaks during the media conference after the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhang Zhizhen (bottom, L)/Zhang Shuai (bottom, R) of China and Rafael Matos (up, L)/Carolina Alves of Brazil compete during their mixed doubles match in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhang Zhizhen of China hits a return against Thiago Monteiro of Brazil during their men's singles match in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua)
Zhang Zhizhen/Zhang Shuai (front R) of China celebrate victory after their mixed doubles match against Rafael Matos/Carolina Alves of Brazil in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhang Zhizhen of China celebrates scoring during the men's singles match against Thiago Monteiro of Brazil in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhang Zhizhen (R) of China shakes hand with Thiago Monteiro of Brazil after their men's singles match in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhang Zhizhen/Zhang Shuai (R) of China react during their mixed doubles match against Rafael Matos/Carolina Alves of Brazil in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhang Zhizhen (front L) of China celebrates victory with Wu Di (front R) of China after the men's singles match against Thiago Monteiro of Brazil in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhang Zhizhen of China speaks during the media conference after the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Rafael Matos/Carolina Alves (R) of Brazil react during their mixed doubles match against Zhang Zhizhen/Zhang Shuai of China in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhang Zhizhen of China poses for a photo with spectators after the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua)
Zhang Zhizhen of China reacts during the men's singles match against Thiago Monteiro of Brazil in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua)
Zhang Zhizhen (back L)/Zhang Shuai (front L) of China shake hands with Rafael Matos (front R)/Carolina Alves of Brazil after their mixed doubles match in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhang Zhizhen (R)/Zhang Shuai of China celebrate victory after their mixed doubles match against Rafael Matos/Carolina Alves of Brazil in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhang Zhizhen of China hits a return against Thiago Monteiro of Brazil during their men's singles match in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua)
Rafael Matos (2nd L)/Carolina Alves (1st L) of Brazil and Zhang Zhizhen (1st R)/Zhang Shuai of China pose for a photo before their mixed doubles match in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua)
Zhang Shuai of China speaks during the media conference after the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhang Zhizhen (R) of China and Thiago Monteiro (L) of Brazil pose for a photo before their men's singles match in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua)
Zhang Zhizhen/Zhang Shuai (L) of China react during their mixed doubles match against Rafael Matos/Carolina Alves of Brazil in the Group E round robin match between China and Brazil at the 2025 United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
微信扫描下方的二维码阅读本文