TWO of the tournament favourites in the United States and Italy both locked in quarter finals spots with victories in their second 2025 United Cup group matches last night. Welcoming in the new year on a high, the United States overcame Croatia and Italy defeated France, both with sweeping 3-0 results.

In the United States’ victory over Croatia, both Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz steamrolled their respective opponents in Donna Vekic and Borna Coric, before pairing up in the mixed doubles to defeat more experienced doubles players Petra Marcinko and Ivan Dodig for the 3-0 tie result.

Fritz defeated Coric 6-3 6-2 off the back of saving both break point opportunities he faced, and winning 79 and 61 per cent of his first and second serve points. The American also served five aces and was able to capitalise on 59 per cent of points off the Croatian’s second serve in the match.

“I feel like I’m a completely different player from when we have played in the past,” Fritz said post-match. “It’s great to get that win, especially after the other day [where I was] a set and break up [against Auger-Aliassime].”

Gauff had a similar straightforward time against Vekic winning 6-4 6-2, with a 78 and 50 per cent success rate off her first and second serve points respectively, compared to the Croatians’ 66 and 36 per cent. Gauff also broke four times to one, and won 64 per cent of her second serve return points. It was the second time in less than 12 months the pair had faced off in their nation’s colours, with Vekic taking out Gauff en route to a silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year.

“I’m really happy with how I played today,” Gauff said post-match. “She’s a great player, and the Olympics loss hurt, so I definitely was thinking about it today as motivation to do better.

In the mixed doubles despite it being a dead rubber, the pair still took to the court and needed just 61 minutes to roll Dodig and Marcinko, putting up seven aces and winning 22 of 25 (88 per cent) first serve points in the comprehensive 6-2 6-3 smashing. They also saved all three break points they faced, and broke four times from six chances.

UNITED STATES (3) defeated CROATIA (0)

Taylor Fritz (USA) defeated Borna Coric (CRO) 6-3 6-2
Coco Gauff (USA) defeated Donna Vekic (CRO) 6-4 6-2
C. Gauff/T. Fritz (USA) defeated P. Marcinko/I. Dodig (CRO) 6-2 6-3

Meanwhile over in Sydney, Italy swept past France to top Group D and move a step closer to claiming yet another team event for the nation. The current holders of the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup, Italy secured the victory off a come-from-behind win from Flavio Cobolli.

The 22-year-old upstaged French world number 14 Ugo Humbert, facing a match point during the second set when down 7-8, before being able to win the last three points of that tiebreak and level the scores. Cobolli would go on to win the final set and claim a remarkable 3-6 7-6 6-2 upset win, with the 32nd ranked talent essentially handing Italy the win.

“I think that we did a great match. It was a great battle to start the season, so I’m really happy about the match,” Cobolli said post-match. “I think I played a really good match and also it was tough to come back [against] Ugo. “Congrats also for him and I wish him good luck for his season.” 

Unsurprisingly Top 5 Italian Jasmine Paolini brushed aside lowly ranked French opponent Chloe Paquet 6-0 6-2 in just 61 minutes, winning 72 and 64 per cent of her first and second serve points. She saved the only break point she faced, and converted all five of her chances against Paquet in the demolition job.

“I’m happy with my performance. I was focused every time. I think [everything worked] pretty well,” Paolini said. “I’m happy, as well, that Flavio won an amazing match. “Unbelievable. “He was a set and break down. “He turned the match. “Unbelievable.”

The two Italian singles players then put their feet up and watched as doubles duo Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori made it a clean sweep with a 6-3 7-6 victory over French pair Elixane Lechemia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an hour and 23 minutes.

ITALY (3) defeated FRANCE (0)

Flavio Cobolli (ITA) defeated Ugo Humbert (FRA) 3-6 7-6 6-2
Jasmine Paolini (ITA) defeated Chloe Paquet (FRA) 6-0 6-2
S. Errani/A. Vavassori (ITA) defeated E. Lechemia/E. Roger-Vasselin (FRA) 6-3 7-6