The Australian summer of tennis is here and there is a new-look event on the calendar — the United Cup.
Eighteen countries will compete in the United Cup across 11 days from Thursday, with the three cities all hosting group games in a round-robin format before a finals series in Sydney.
Ties comprise two men’s and two women’s singles matches and one mixed doubles.
There is plenty on the line too, with a total of $15 million in prize money on offer at the tournament along with 500 ATP and 500 WTA rankings points.
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One of the highlights of the opening day’s action in Perth sees Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas taking on Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in Group A.
Tsitsipas said the Greek team was psyched up about trying to lead a minor tennis nation to big achievements in the new tournament.
“We are all doing this together,” he said of the squad’s spirit. “Our team all have their eyes on the prize, but this (winning) can only be achieved by combining forces and committing every day.”
Tsitsipas also had something to add after Australian rival Nick Kyrgios surprised his team with a last-minute withdrawal from the tournament, citing an ankle injury.
“It is not a surprise, I hope he enjoys his holidays,” Tsitsipas said.
With Kyrgios out of action, Alex de Minaur will take on the No.1 men’s position for Australia and now is preparing to face Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the night session in Sydney.
He won’t be the only Australian flying the flag on Thursday, with Zoe Hives also suiting up to play Katie Swan in a match to follow.
Speaking of Kyrgios, he had plenty to say on social media in response to the commentary surrounding his last-minute withdrawal from the tournament.
Taking to Twitter, Kyrgios revealed he and fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis would heavily feature in the first episode of Break Point — the sport’s new Netflix series.
If you want to escape the off-court drama though, there will be a total of 12 matches being played across the country on Thursday to kick off the United Cup action.
Other highlights see France’s Alize Cornet, who enjoyed a successful Australian Open campaign earlier this year, facing Argentina’s Maria Carle at 6pm in Perth.
That match will be followed by a battle between Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) and Francisco Cerundolo (ARG).
In earlier action, Taylor Fritz made history as the tournament’s first-ever winner, defeating Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4 to give the US a 1-0 advantage against the Czech Republic.
American Madison Keys is up next and will look to make it two from two when she faces Marie Bouzkova at Ken Rosewall Arena.
FULL SCHEDULE — DAY 1
Sydney, Ken Rosewall Arena
United States vs. Czech Republic (Group C)
Taylor Fritz (USA) def. Jiri Lehecka (CZE) — 6-3, 6-4
Madison Keys (USA) vs. Marie Bouzkova (CZE)
Australia vs. Great Britain (Group D)
Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs. Cameron Norrie (GB), 7pm
Zoe Hives (AUS) vs. Katie Swan (GB), to follow
Perth, RAC Arena
Greece vs. Bulgaria (Group A)
Despina Papamichail (GRE) vs. Isabella Shinikova (BUL), 12pm
Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL), to follow
France vs. Argentina (Group F)
Alizé Cornet (FRA) vs. Maria Carle (ARG), 6pm
Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) vs. Francisco Cerundolo (ARG), to follow
Brisbane, Pat Rafter Arena
Italy vs. Brazil (Group E)
Martina Trevisan (ITA) vs. Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA), 1pm
Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) vs. Felipe Meligeni Alves (BRA), to follow
Switzerland vs. Kazakhstan (Group B)
Belinda Bencic (SWI) vs. Yulia Putintseva (KAZ), 7pm
Marc-Andrea Huesler (SWI) vs. Timofey Skatov (KAZ), to follow
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