United Cup: Gauff bounces back from shock defeat as USA progress

Coco Gauff bounced back from a singles defeat versus Jessica Bouzas Maneiro to lead the United States out of Group A at the United Cup, successfully teaming up with Christian Harrison in the mixed doubles.

Gauff was beaten by a convincing 6-1 6-7 (7-3) 6-0 scoreline in the opening match of the USA's tie against Spain, ending her unbeaten record at the United Cup across singles and doubles.

And the USA were on the brink of elimination when Taylor Fritz then faced match point against Jaume Munar, but he recovered to clinch a 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 7-6 (8-6) victory that kept the defending champions alive in the tournament.

Speaking after his win, which teed up a winner-take-all match in the mixed doubles, Fritz said: "It was a crazy match. I thought Jaume

played very well. I felt I was in a lot of his service games, but he played so well on so many of the big points.

"I had to come up with a lot to keep myself in the match or convert any of the big points. It was really tough, really physical. "

Fritz had needed three hours and 14 minutes to secure that triumph, but Gauff and Harrison found the decider far more comfortable as they beat Inigo Cervantes and Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers 7-6 (7-5) 6-0, rallying after giving up an early break.

Q is for 'Qualification' 

Christian Harrison and @CocoGauff def. Cavalle-Reimers/Cervantes 7-6(5) 6-0 to seal Team USA's spot in the final eight. pic.twitter.com/cDBJ0lkaId

— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 5, 2026

While the USA are into the quarter-finals, Norway were eliminated after being swept by Czechia, with that result dropping them to 0-2 at the bottom of Group D.

United Cup debutants Barbora Krejcikova and Jakub Mensik got the job done in their singles matches, beating Malene Helgo and Casper Ruud, respectively, before Krejcikova partnered Adam Pavlasek for a mixed doubles triumph.

Data Debrief: Gauff's perfect record gone

Prior to her defeat to Bouzas Maneiro, Gauff held a 9-0 career record at the United Cup, winning her first six matches in singles.

Bouzas Maneiro's victory was also her first over a top-five player, but it ultimately counted for nought as the USA recovered to advance.

They have won two of the first three editions of the United Cup in 2023 and 2025, and fell at the first hurdle in 2024.