THERE will be a new United Cup champion crowned in 2025 after Kazakhstan eliminated 2024 winner Germany in the quarter finals today. Missing key player Alexander Zverev, Germany lost its edge over Kazakhstan, with the smaller nation able to wrap up proceedings through the singles and set their sights on the Sydney semi-finals.

Without facing Top 5 player Zverev, instead world number 78 Alexander Shevchenko took on 254th ranked German replacement Daniel Masur to seal the tie. He made it far from easy though with Masur shocking his higher ranked opponent by winning the first set in a tiebreaker. That form did not last long, with Shevchenko winning easily after that 6-2 6-2 to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

“It was a struggle in this heat, he made me run a lot, he was more aggressive,” Shevchenko said. “That’s why I got tired, my head was spinning.

“I’m really proud that I found this win for our team, because I was fighting hard. I saw the faces of my team, and they didn’t want to go to a decider. I was also a little bit nervous, because I knew if I won, the tie was over.”

Earlier, Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina made light work of German top singles player Laura Siegemund in straight sets, 6-3 6-1. Yet to lose a match this tournament, Rybakina serve six aces and won 79 and 67 per cent of her first and second serve points off a 73 per cent clip. The contest lasted just 65 minutes.

“Feeling better on the court and physically also,” Rybakina said. “It was a long trip. It’s not easy at the beginning but really happy with the performance and really looking forward to the next match.

“All the guys are pretty funny and it’s nice to play a team competition. “It’s so rare that we get a chance to do that. “I’m so happy to be here and also the first time in Perth. “I really like everything.”

With the tie wrapped up, Rybakina and Shevchenko both had a rest ahead of the flight to Sydney, with Zhibek Kulambayeva and Dmitry Popko getting to shake off some rust. They were no match for worldclass doubles player Tim Puetz and Siegemund though, with the German pair trouncing the Kazakhs in the dead rubber, 6-2 6-2.

KAZAKHSTAN (2) defeated GERMANY (1)

Elena Rybakina (KAZ) defeated Laura Siegemund (GER) 6-3 6-1
Alexander Shevchenko (KAZ) defeated Daniel Masur (GER) 6-7 6-2 6-2
L. Siegemund/T. Puetz (GER) defeated Z. Kulambayeva/D. Popko (KAZ) 6-2 6-2

A step behind the knockout stages, Poland officially qualified for the quarter finals by topping Group B with a victory of Czech Republic. In a tough contest between the sides, the tie went down to the decisive mixed doubles which Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz won 7-6 6-3 over Czech pair Karolina Muchova and Tomas Machac.

“Honestly I was sure they were going to play amazing tennis because they have always great teams in doubles and mixed doubles. They are kind of raised that way,” Swiatek said. “But I knew that we have the game to win it. “For sure we were leading from the beginning.

“In the first set it got tight at the end, but I kind of felt that we were leading anyway so in the tiebreak we just used that. In the end it seemed that we had everything under control.”

Machac forced the game to a decider after upsetting Hurkacz in a three-set epic. The Czech managed to get over the top of his higher ranked opponent despite winning less points with a 7-5 3-6 6-4 triumph. The match lasted an hour and 44 minutes, with Hurkacz serving 14 aces to eight, but Machac winning an impressive 83 per cent of his first serve points.

“It was a difficult match from the beginning. I was a little bit tired from the match with Casper [Ruud],” Machac said. “It was a great match and Hubi is an unbelievable player. It’s always a pleasure to share the court with him. In the end, I was just fighting. I’m really happy with my mental [game] in the end.” 

Swiatek also had a tough assignment against the dangerous Muchova, getting through it in straight sets but not without a fight. She won 6-3 6-4 and showed the consistency she is renowned for, needing even longer than the men’s match to get it done, 6-3 6-4. The world number two then joined Hurkacz to further stand up in big matches to close out the tie and secure a spot in the last eight.

POLAND (2) defeated CZECH REPUBLIC (1)

Tomas Machac (CZE) defeated Hubert Hurkacz (POL) 7-5 3-6 6-4
Iga Swiatek (POL) defeated Karolina Muchova (CZE) 6-3 6-4
I. Swiatek/H. Hurkacz (POL) defeated K. Muchova/T. Machac (CZE) 7-6 6-3