Katie Boulter, the British No. 1 tennis player, expressed her unease about the prospect of facing her Australian fiancé, Alex de Minaur, in the upcoming United Cup. After leading Great Britain to a victory over Argentina, Boulter’s thoughts shifted to the next challenge: a match against Australia. Boulter had partnered with Charlie Broom to secure the decisive mixed doubles win, defeating Tomás Martín Etcheverry and María Lourdes Carlé 7-6 (4), 7-5 in Sydney. This victory put Britain in a strong position as they prepared for their clash with Australia, which will take place on Wednesday.
Despite the competitive nature of the event, Boulter admitted she hoped to avoid facing De Minaur directly. Although it’s unlikely they will compete against each other given that De Minaur leads the Australian team alongside Matt Ebden, Boulter acknowledged the tension that would arise if they did. She described the situation as “terrible” and imagined it as a “popcorn match,” humorously suggesting it would be a spectacle for spectators. Both Boulter and De Minaur, however, are determined to win for their respective teams, knowing that the match will bring its own set of challenges and emotions.
Boulter started the day with a solid performance, defeating Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska 6-2, 6-3. However, Argentina managed to secure their only point when Tomás Martín Etcheverry overcame Billy Harris 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Harris had stepped in for the injured Jack Draper. Despite the loss, Boulter was pleased with her own performance, particularly in doubles, which she described as an enjoyable experience. She expressed that doubles allowed her to relax and play more freely, contrasting it with the intensity of singles. Nevertheless, she was happy to begin the season with a strong result and felt good about her preparations.
Looking ahead, Boulter was focused on the upcoming tie against Australia, knowing it would be a tough battle. She noted that both she and De Minaur are highly competitive, and while she tried not to overthink the situation, she was determined to give her best effort. The couple’s shared commitment to the competition adds an intriguing dynamic to the tie, as they both fight for national pride.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan secured a place in the quarter-finals of the mixed team event with a dominant win over Greece in Perth. Elena Rybakina, the former Wimbledon champion, played a crucial role in the victory, defeating Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-3. Rybakina showed composure throughout the match, overcoming a tough opening set before cruising through the second. She was joined by Alexander Shevchenko, who stunned Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (0), to seal the win for Kazakhstan. Shevchenko was thrilled with his performance, describing the win as one of the best of his career, despite Tsitsipas not being at his best.
Rybakina’s victory was especially significant as she prepares for the Australian Open, and her partnership with new coach Goran Ivanisevic is already showing promise. Ivanisevic, who has recently taken over as her coach, expressed his satisfaction with their collaboration, emphasizing the importance of experience and learning from each other. The team’s success in the United Cup has been a positive start to their partnership.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Iga Swiatek, the world No. 2, is set to face Norway in Group B, while Germany, the defending champions, will take on China in Group E. The United Cup continues to showcase the talents of some of the world’s top tennis players, with each team eager to make their mark ahead of the Australian Open.
