Gauff and Fritz back for United Cup against Swiatek's Poland / Photo: © AFP
-
Magic upset Pistons, Spurs suffer Wembanyama scare
-
After milestone-rich lunar flyby, astronauts start trip home
-
Cambodian deported by US faced 'misery' in Eswatini prison
-
Australian soldier arrested for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan
-
Oil prices rally, stocks mixed after Trump's latest Iran threat
-
Chalmers urges McEvoy to swim in Australia 4x100m relay team at Olympics
-
Taiwan opposition leader makes rare visit to China
-
Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis breaks silence after wife's death
-
US Vice President Vance departs for Hungary in support of Orban
-
Ex-top aide of Spanish PM set to go on trial for graft
-
Tokyo confirms Japanese national held by Iran freed
-
AI-generated artists break through in country music
-
Rio de Janeiro's gangs hijack buses to sow chaos in war with police
-
Iran defiant as deadline looms for Trump threat to infrastructure
-
Tiger's treatment battle in thoughts of stars at Masters
-
Thai amateur 'Fifa' ready for Masters kick-off
-
'Hacks' has 'perfect' ending after 5 seasons, says star Smart
-
Age and near misses don't worry Rose in Masters quest
-
'Incredibly dangerous': rescuing downed fighter crew in Iran
-
Wall Street stocks rise on hopes for US-Iran ceasefire
-
High-flying Villarreal stumble at Girona
-
Promoter defends plan for Kanye West to headline London fest
-
Napoli's Serie A title defence boosted by beating AC Milan
-
Trump lashes out at 'paper tiger' NATO while re-upping Greenland claim
-
Reed finds DP World Tour success after leaving LIV
-
Lunar crater named after Artemis commander's deceased wife
-
WNBA star Reese joining Atlanta from Chicago: club
-
Gotterup seeks rare win in Masters debut
-
Bayern's Kompany waiting on Kane for 'toughest' game at Real Madrid
-
Juve beat Genoa to close in on Serie A top four
-
'Historic day': Artemis astronauts break space distance record
-
Augusta already firm and fast ahead of 90th Masters
-
French hope Seixas storms Basque Tour time-trial opener
-
Trump says Iran ceasefire proposal 'very significant step'
-
Wawrinka falls in first round on Monte Carlo farewell
-
Greece PM calls on European prosecutor to act 'without delay' on agriculture fraud
-
US Democratic lawmakers slam 'economic bombing' after Cuba visit
-
Red Cross chief condemns 'deliberate threats' against civilians in Mideast war
-
Giant step for humankind: Artemis crew to set space distance record
-
Wawrinka falls in first round of Monte Carlo Masters
-
Ex-England rugby international Lawes to leave Brive
-
Fit-again Mbappe at Real Madrid for clashes like Bayern tie: Arbeloa
-
Swimmers McKeown, O'Callaghan and Chalmers dominate at Australian Open
-
Bucha: When the Russian killers came...
-
Iran, a Terrorist State with No Right to Exist
-
African players in Europe: Semenyo scores as City rout Liverpool
-
Israeli strikes kill Iran Guards intel chief as Trump deadline looms
-
Saving energy in everyday life or a complete rip-off?
-
US sprint star Richardson wins Australia's Stawell Gift in record time
-
Rockets down Warriors in Curry return, Flagg carries Mavs past Lakers
Gauff and Fritz back for United Cup against Swiatek's Poland
Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz will spearhead the United States' title defence at the mixed teams United Cup in Australia, organisers said Thursday, with Iga Swiatek leading Poland's quest for revenge.
World number three Gauff and sixth-ranked Fritz edged Poland to win the title at the season-opening ATP-WTA event in January, a key lead-up tournament to the Australian Open.
Gauff beat world number two Swiatek in the decider, while Fritz downed Hubert Hurkacz, who is also returning.
Five of the world's top 10 men and four of the world's top 10 women are among those signed up for the January 2-11 tournament which will see 18 countries playing in Sydney and Perth.
Each team features three men and three women, with ties comprising one men's and one women's singles and an often decisive mixed doubles.
Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner and rival Carlos Alcaraz have opted for an exhibition match in South Korea on January 10 before making their way to Melbourne Park for the season-opening Grand Slam starting eight days later.
Serbian great Novak Djokovic is yet to reveal his early season plans.
Defending women's Australian Open champion Madison Keys is signed up for the Adelaide International from January 12-17, alongside Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka, who Keys stunned in the Australian Open final, will start her 2026 campaign at the Brisbane International as she searches for a fifth Grand Slam title.
"The entry list for the United Cup this summer is world class," said tournament director Stephen Farrow.
"We look forward to the official draw next Monday to determine where our 18 countries will play across Perth and Sydney.
Germany will be guided once again by world number three Alexander Zverev alongside newcomer Eva Lys in pursuit of a second United Cup after victory in 2024.
Japan make their debut with four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka lining up with 2019 junior Wimbledon champion Shintaro Mochizuki.
Hosts Australia are led by Alex de Minaur, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari are back for Greece while Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu lead the British charge and Jasmine Paolini headlines the Italian team.
J.Horn--BTB
