A NUMBER of big name stars headline Group C of the 2025 United Cup in what promises to be a fascinating watch starting on Friday. Kazakhstan and Spain will open the tournament at 10am local time in Perth, with Greece the major players from the group expected to advance.

GROUP C – PERTH

GREECE:

Stefanos Tsitsipas
Maria Sakkari
Stefanos Sakellaridis (Backup singles)
Despina Papamichail (Backup singles)
Petros Tsitsipas (Doubles)
Valentini Grammatikopoulou (Doubles)

Greece has the top-end quality to threaten the major players at the United Cup, but just like Forest Gump’s block of chocolate, you never quite know which Tsitsipas and Sakkari you are going to get. Both are consistent Top 10 talents for a long time who work well together, but both are prone to shock losses and dropping matches in clutch moments they shouldn’t. On paper the pair should be too strong – particularly Tsitsipas on the men’s side – but you just never know. Hopefully this is the year for the Greek fans.

Prediction: Win group / Title contenders

KAZAKHSTAN:

Alexander Shevchenko
Elena Rybakina
Dmitry Popko (Backup singles)
Zhibek Kulambayeva (Backup singles)
Aleksandr Nedovyesov (Doubles)

Given Rybakina was able to gain some crucial warmup matches at the World Tennis League following on from her WTA Finals appearance, the talented Kazakh will eye off a strong start to 2025 in Perth. She should win each of her singles at her best, and then will also step up for the doubles be it with Shevchenko or Nedovyesov. Expect the nation to have to go to the third tie each time, but it will be fascinating to see just how deep they can go with the Wimbledon champion guiding them.

Prediction: Second in group / chance for wildcard

SPAIN:

Pablo Carreno Busta
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Carlos Taberner (Backup singles)
Marina Bassols Ribera (Backup singles)
Sergio Martos Gornes (Doubles)
Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers (Doubles)

Spain at full strength would win the United Cup, but following the withdrawal of potential top singles star Paula Badosa – and denying fans a mixed doubles of Badosa against boyfriend Tsitsipas – the Spanish will need to look to Bouzas Maneiro and Carreno Busta to get the job done. The European nation will always provide an honest effort, but though rock solid and certainly not to be taken lightly, the top-end quality of the other two nations in Group C makes it tough for Spain.

Prediction: Third in group