United Cup: Djokovic/ Danilovic Helps Serbia to a winning start in Perth

China’s Zhang Zhizhen and Zheng Quinwen were defeated 6-4, 1-6, 10/6 by WTA star Danilovic and ATP World No. 1 Djokovic, ensuring a glorious United Cup debut for their nation at RAC Arena.

In Serbia’s first Group E match, the team led by Danilovic and Djokovic won seven of the last ten points to win a one-hour, 27-minute victory and seal a 2-1 victory just before midnight.

With Zhang defeated 6-3, 6-2 in the opening set by ATP World No. 1 Djokovic, Zheng had to win the match against Danilovic.

Zheng, who had just defeated the defending Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in three sets in her opening round, prevailed 6-4, 6-2 by maintaining her composure.

After storming to the second set in the mixed doubles, where Zhang and Zheng partnered to spectacular effect, China looked to be in the lead, but Danilovic and Djokovic battled to a vital victory to maintain their team’s hopes of winning the group.

Prior to this, the United States of America overcame a deficit to defeat Great Britain in the pivotal mixed doubles match on Sunday, winning 2-1 in Group C and improving to 1-0 in the mixed-team competition.

Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula defeated Katie Boulter and Neal Skupski 1-6, 7-6(4), 10-7, with the score tied at 1-1. The US is going to try to retain its crown, as it won the competition the previous year.

If the United States defeats Australia on Monday night, they will advance to the quarterfinals. Group C’s victor advances to Perth for the quarterfinals.

Canada also made a strong start in Perth after coming through a though challenge against Chile.

When Tomas Barrios Vera and Daniela Seguel defeated Steven Diez and Leylah Fernandez 8/6 in the match tie-break in the decisive mixed doubles on Sunday afternoon, Chile was just two points away from winning an exciting United Cup Group B encounter. Still, the Canadians came back to triumph 7-5, 4-6, 10-8.

In the team’s first-ever United Cup match, Fernandez gave Canada the perfect start by easily defeating Seguel. Tomas Barrios Vera and Daniela Segue then gave Chile a chance to catch up, but Steven Diez and Leylah Fernandez gave Canada the win.