World No. 3 Coco Gauff secured a thrilling victory against China’s Zhang Shuai, 7-6 (4), 6-2, to propel Team USA into an early lead in the United Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday. Following Gauff’s win, Taylor Fritz delivered a stellar performance, defeating Zhang Zhizhen 6-4, 6-4, and securing an unbeatable 2-0 advantage for Team USA. As former champions of the United Cup, Team USA is now set to join Kazakhstan for the semifinals in Sydney after their commanding display in Perth.
Coco Gauff Shines in Gritty United Cup Quarterfinal Performance
Gauff, the 20-year-old tennis sensation, set the stage for Team USA on New Year’s Day with a hard-fought win over Zhang Shuai. Overcoming three early breaks in the first set, Gauff showcased her resilience to clinch the tiebreak and carried her momentum into the second set for a decisive victory. The match lasted 1 hour and 34 minutes, highlighting Gauff’s determination and skill.
Zhang Shuai, stepping in after China’s group-stage standout Gao Xinyu was sidelined due to injury, put up a valiant effort. Employing aggressive baseline tactics and flat groundstrokes, Zhang managed to keep Gauff under pressure. Despite breaking Gauff’s serve three times in the opening set, Zhang struggled to consolidate those breaks. Serving for the set at 6-5, Zhang was broken back, paving the way for Gauff to dominate the tiebreak and ultimately win the match.
Gauff Reflects on the Intense Match
“The harder I hit, the harder she was hitting,” Gauff explained after the match. “She was incredibly aggressive, especially on my second serves, forcing me to take risks that led to double faults. But if I played it safe, she’d hit return winners. I had to dig deep and take my chances.”
Gauff’s composure and strategic play were evident in the tiebreak, where she delivered a flawless lob winner to set up set points. Building on this momentum, she broke Zhang early in the second set and maintained her lead to secure a 3-0 start. Gauff’s dominance improved her head-to-head record against Zhang to 3-0, solidifying her position as a key player for Team USA.
Taylor Fritz Clinches Victory with a Dominant Serve
Taylor Fritz, ranked No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings, followed Gauff’s lead with a commanding performance against Zhang Zhizhen. Fritz’s serve was virtually untouchable, dropping only four points throughout the match and wrapping up the win in just 1 hour and 19 minutes.
Acknowledging the importance of Gauff’s earlier victory, Fritz commented, “Coco did an amazing job putting us in the lead. It’s always a bit of pressure not to let the team down after such a strong performance from her, but I’m thrilled with how I played today.”
Team USA Eyes United Cup Semifinals in Sydney
With the quarterfinal victories in Perth, Team USA advances to the semifinals, joining Kazakhstan on the cross-country flight to Sydney. As former United Cup champions, the American team aims to continue their momentum and reclaim the title. Fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating their upcoming matches, with Gauff and Fritz leading the charge.
Stay updated on all the United Cup action and Team USA’s journey by visiting our website for the latest match reports, highlights, and player insights. Don’t miss a moment as Team USA aims for United Cup glory!