A WIDE open group with plenty of storylines is what confronts fans with Group D of the 2025 United Cup. Italy, France and Switzerland all have claims if the competitors play to their best, though Italy – coming off triumphs at Davis Cup and BJK Cup level will be out for more nation success.

GROUP D – SYDNEY

ITALY:

Flavio Cobolli
Jasmine Paolini
Matteo Gigante (Backup singles)
Sara Errani (Backup singles)
Andrea Vavassori (Doubles)
Angelica Moratelli (Doubles)

Italy is the current holders of both the Davis Cup and BJK Cup, which means the Mediterranean nation should be full of confidence heading into the 2025 United Cup. With no Jannik Sinner or even Matteo Berrettini, nothing is certain, though having Paolini on the women’s side is a huge bonus. Cobolli is more than capable against the two opponents in this group, though France is the big danger. Errani has been named for her singles but would more likely play doubles, while Vavassori would likely get chosen over Cobolli for doubles.

Prediction: Win group

FRANCE:

Ugo Humbert
Chloe Paquet
Corentin Moutet (Backup singles)
Leolia Jeanjean (Backup singles)
Edouard Roger-Vasselin (Doubles)
Elixane Lechemia (Doubles)

Without Sinner, France would be confident it could knock off Italy given the potential of Humbert, and the doubles experience of Roger-Vasselin. Though largely disappointing on the team scale since knocking off Australia in the BJK Cup final a number of year ago, France is always a sleeping giant. Taking a match off Italy and sweeping Switzerland would put the nation in the box seat for a wildcard chance.

Prediction: Second in group / Wildcard chance

SWITZERLAND:

Dominic Stricker
Belinda Bencic
Remy Bertola (Backup singles)
Celine Naef (Backup singles)
Jakub Paul (Doubles)
Conny Perrin (Doubles)

Switzerland is definitely the third nation in the group, but with Bencic returning from her maternity leave to help the side quality, it does bring some hope with the Swiss’ chances. Bencic has played three tournaments in the last few months after missing substantial time, reaching a 125K final. While a very different beast here, the French opponents are gettable for Bencic, and she is more than a capable doubles player. Stricker can have his days, and while Switzerland is unlikely to advance, there are far weaker third sides in groups.

Prediction: Third in group