Rybakina leads Kazakhstan to victory over Spain while China shock Brazil as United Cup begins

Elena Rybakina (25) led Kazakhstan to a 2-1 triumph over Spain in her debut at the United Cup, held at the RAC Arena in Perth on Friday.

The world number six secured a victory against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro with a score of 6-2, 6-3 in the singles match, and subsequently teamed up with Alexander Shevchenko to win the crucial mixed doubles match.

Kazakhstan has the opportunity to advance to the quarter-finals of the 18-nation mixed teams tournament by defeating Greece in their next Group C encounter on Monday.

Former world number 10 Pablo Carreno-Busta dominated Shevchenko with a score of 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour, giving Spain an early lead. However, Rybakina, competing in her first match since appointing Goran Ivanisevic as her coach for the season, quickly equalized for Kazakhstan.

The 25-year-old surged to a 4-0 advantage before Bouzas Maneiro managed to respond by winning two consecutive games. Rybakina then regained control, breaking her opponent without losing a point to secure the first set.

In the second set, Rybakina established a similar 4-2 lead with a series of impressive backhand winners. Although Bouzas Maneiro had three break points at 5-3, Rybakina's powerful game ultimately prevailed.

"The first match is always challenging," remarked Rybakina, the former Wimbledon champion. "It is not easy to adapt so quickly, but I am quite pleased with my performance today."

She soon returned to the court alongside Shevchenko, achieving a 7-6, 6-7, 10-7 victory over Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers and Carreno Busta. "If 'Lena' hadn't been carrying me in this match, we would have lost... Thanks to her," Shevchenko acknowledged.

In another match, China's Gao overcame cramps and injuries to defeat Brazilian world number 17 Haddad Maia with a score of 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 in a grueling contest that lasted three hours and 22 minutes, marking the longest WTA singles match in United Cup history. "I have no idea what is happening right now.

My mind was blank, and my entire body was cramping," said Gao, currently ranked 175th, who stepped in for Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen in the competition after.

Zhang Zhizhen subsequently advanced past Thiago Monteiro with a score of 6-3, 6-0 in the men's singles match, allowing China to establish a commanding 2-0 advantage in the Group E contest, thereby securing victory prior to the mixed doubles event.

SportsLigue