Gauff levels tie after Baez upsets Fritz in Perth
World No. 3 Coco Gauff went straight to business in her 2026 season debut at the United Cup, defeating rising star and No. 66 Solana Sierra 6-1, 6-1 in just 57 minutes.
The victory levels the tie between the defending champion United States and Argentina, following Sebastian Baez’s upset 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 win over No. 6 Taylor Fritz to start Saturday’s night session in Perth. The deciding mixed-doubles will feature Gauff and Fritz facing Argentina’s Maria Lourdes-Carle and Guido Andreozzi.
It was the first encounter between the World No. 3 and Sierra on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz, and Sierra’s first-ever top 10 matchup in her career.
“I feel like I can play even better too, which is even more exciting,” Gauff said on-court after the match. “It’s always tough starting the first match of the season, especially against an opponent like her and someone who played yesterday. I’m really happy with how I managed all those emotions.”
With a pair of break points and three holds of serve, Gauff sprinted out to a 5-0 lead, and she saved two break-point opportunities of Sierra’s. The Argentinian No. 1 did get on the board, much to the delight of the Perth crowd, with a hold of serve in the sixth game.
After two double faults, Gauff regrouped and won four consecutive points to take the first set in just a half hour, which she limited Sierra to just seven points on her serve.
The second set would be a replica that saw Gauff, who went undefeated in singles at last year’s United Cup, win 6-1 and secure the double breadstick victory.
A win for Argentina in mixed doubles guarantees a first-place finish in Group A and their first quarterfinal in three tries at the event following their win over Spain Friday.
An American win will see Argentina’s fate be determined by the United States’ tie vs. Spain, when Gauff will face Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro for the first time on Jan. 5.
Earlier, Sebastian Baez upset World No. 6 Taylor Fritz 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 to record his second Top 10 win.
The 25-year-old defeated Spain’s Jaume Munar in his opening match at the mixed-teams event on Friday and backed that up with one of the best performances of his career against Fritz, who showed signs of rustiness throughout the two hours and 35-minute clash.
“I am so happy right now,” Baez said. “We have been searching for this feeling for many years and I am happy to give this point to Argentina. Thank you to the crowd. I felt very comfortable today.”
Baez had lost his previous five Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings against Fritz but rallied from a set and a break down to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. The No. 45 player in the PIF ATP Live Rankings crucially saved a break point when serving for the match at 5-4 in the third set, sealing victory with a simple volley into the open court. Argentina defeated Spain 3-0 in its opening Group A tie and is well placed to qualify for the quarter-finals.
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