Elena Rybakina’s Kazakhstan knocked defending champions Germany out of the United Cup on Wednesday, with Alexander Zverev sidelined with an arm injury just a week before the Australian Open, while top seed USA beat China to reach the semi-finals.
In Sydney, women’s world number two Iga Swiatek led Poland to the round of 16 by winning a rematch of her 2023 French Open final against Czech Karolina Muchova.
Great Britain also advanced to the quarter-finals thanks to Katie Boulter’s dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory over Australian Olivia Gadecki, enough to ensure she won her group.
The upset in Perth sent the Kazakhs into the semi-finals of the 18-nation tournament.
Sixth-place Rybakina won the first point for Kazakhstan, with the 2022 Wimbledon champion beating Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-1.
Zverev then withdrew from his clash against Alexander Shevchenko at the last minute due to a biceps strain, leaving 254th-ranked Daniel Masur to face him.
He fought courageously but Shevchenko proved too strong, winning 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-2 despite a medical timeout in the second set, complaining of breathing difficulties.
“I was struggling in this heat, it was so hard,” said the world number 78, who surprised Stefanos Tsitsipas in a group match on Monday.
“I had a headache and I was dizzy. But I wanted to win this one.
“After (losing) the first set, I knew I had to shorten the rallies and play aggressively,” Shevchenko added.
In Wednesday’s other quarterfinal, the United States, winners in 2023, beat China thanks to singles victories by Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz.
World number three Gauff beat Zhang Shuai 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, and Fritz then put the tie beyond the Chinese with a 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Zhang Zhizhen.
“Coco did a really good job of giving us the lead and giving me a chance to qualify,” Fritz said.
“There was a little pressure because I didn’t want to be the one to lose for the team after Coco won all her matches this week. I played a really solid match. I’m really happy with it.”
– Swiatek intensity –
Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam winner, claimed a commanding victory over Muchova, winning 6-3, 6-4 after teammate Hubert Hurkacz was upset in three sets by Tomas Machac.
Swiatek returned to partner Hurkacz and outlasted Muchova and Machac in the deciding mixed doubles 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 to keep their tournament alive.
Playing her first tournament since it was announced in late November that she had served a one-month suspension for a doping violation, Swiatek dropped her serve to lead 2-1 in the first set against Muchova.
But she won the next three matches to regain control and finish the competition comfortably.
“Honestly, I love playing against Karolina because she always brings precision and intensity and a little different game than most girls,” Swiatek said.
“So, for sure it’s a challenge. I’m happy that even though I lost my serve when I thought it was going to be easier, I’m happy that I increased my intensity even more in both last matches to break again.”
Britain’s Boulter dominated Australia’s Gadecki from the start, showing more consistency and depth from the backline, needing just 70 minutes to secure victory.
“I’m so happy to get out of it, I’m not going to lie,” she said.
Her Australian fiancé Alex de Minaur crushed Billy Harris 6-2, 6-1 in the men’s singles, but it was in vain with Great Britain already qualified.
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