The United Cup in Perth delivered high-octane drama as Team USA dashed China's semifinal hopes with a thrilling quarterfinal victory this week. Rising tennis stars Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz led the charge, securing critical wins in their singles matches to propel the top-seeded Americans forward.
China’s campaign faced an early setback when breakout player Gao Xinyu—who earlier stunned crowds with wins over Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia and Germany’s Laura Siegemund—withdrew due to injury. Veteran Zhang Shuai stepped in, pushing Gauff to her limits in a fiercely contested first set. Despite breaking the 2023 U.S. Open champion three times, Zhang couldn’t sustain the momentum, with Gauff rallying to win 7-6 (4), 6-2.
Taylor Fritz sealed the deal with a dominant 6-4, 6-4 win over China’s Zhang Zhizhen, later calling it a 'team effort.' The U.S. doubles duo then clinched the mixed tiebreaker, ending China’s underdog run.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan stunned defending champions Germany after Alexander Zverev’s injury withdrawal, with Elena Rybakina spearheading their charge. The drama sets up an electrifying semifinal weekend!
NewspaperAmigo – Your Global News Buddy 
Rising tennis stars Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz led the charge, securing critical wins in their singles matches to propel the top-seeded Americans forward.
Taylor Fritz sealed the deal with a dominant 6-4, 6-4 win over China’s Zhang Zhizhen, later calling it a 'team effort.' The U.S. doubles duo then clinched the mixed tiebreaker, ending China’s underdog run.
