2026 United Cup Day 2 Order of Play (Saturday, 3 January 2026)
Highlights
- Host Nation Debuts in Primetime: Australia kicks off its campaign in Sydney during the evening session, headlined by a high-stakes clash between Alex de Minaur and Norway’s Casper Ruud not before 7:00 pm.
- Team USA Enters the Competition: Top-seeded Team USA begins their title bid in Perth, featuring a powerful lineup with Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff taking on Argentina’s Sebastian Baez and Solana Sierra, respectively.
- Wawrinka and Bencic Return for Switzerland: Swiss tennis icons Stan Wawrinka and Belinda Bencic return to team action in the morning session in Perth, facing France’s Arthur Rinderknech and Leolia Jeanjean.
- Belgium vs. China to Open Sydney Action: The morning session at Ken Rosewall Arena starts with a competitive Group B tie, featuring Elise Mertens (BEL) against Lin Zhu (CHN) and Zizou Bergs (BEL) facing Zhizhen Zhang (CHN).
- Star-Studded Mixed Doubles: The schedule features potential blockbuster Mixed Doubles pairings, including the scheduled team-up of Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz for the USA, and Storm Hunter partnering with John-Patrick Smith for Australia.
The 2026 United Cup action heats up on Saturday, January 3, with a jam-packed Order of Play featuring some of the biggest names in tennis. Day 2 of the mixed-team competition will see eight nations clash across the Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney and the RAC Arena in Perth, with host nation Australia and top-seeded Team USA commencing their campaigns.
From the highly anticipated showdown between Alex de Minaur and Casper Ruud to the debut of Team USA’s power duo Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff, here is a detailed breakdown of the action scheduled for Saturday.
Sydney: Hosts Australia and Team China in the Spotlight
Morning Session – Group B: Belgium (BEL) vs. China (CHN)
Start Time: 10:30 am AEDT at Ken Rosewall Arena
The day in Sydney begins with Group B action as Belgium takes on China. Belgium, seeded 7th, will look to Elise Mertens to provide a strong start. She faces China’s Lin Zhu (Team 18) in the opening rubber. Mertens’ consistency will be tested against the flat-hitting Zhu, setting the tone for the tie.
Following the women’s singles, the men take the court with Belgium’s Zizou Bergs facing the charismatic Zhizhen Zhang. Both players are known for their shot-making, making this a potentially explosive encounter. The tie will conclude with a Mixed Doubles match featuring the Belgian pair of Mertens and Bergs against Zhu and Zhang, though captains may substitute players based on the live score.
Evening Session – Group D: Australia (AUS) vs. Norway (NOR)
Start Time: Not Before 5:30 pm AEDT at Ken Rosewall Arena
The evening session marks the entrance of the host nation, Australia (Team 4), facing Norway (Team 17) in Group D. The tie kicks off with rising Aussie talent Maya Joint taking on Norway’s Malene Helgo. This match is a crucial opportunity for the home side to secure an early lead before the heavy hitters arrive.
The marquee match of the day in Sydney is scheduled not before 7:00 pm, featuring a blockbuster clash between Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur and Norwegian superstar Casper Ruud. De Minaur, thriving on the energy of the home crowd, faces a stern test in Ruud, a former Grand Slam finalist known for his heavy topspin forehand. The night wraps up with the Mixed Doubles, where Storm Hunter and John-Patrick Smith are slated to face Ulrikke Eikeri and Casper Ruud.
Perth: Team USA and Switzerland Enter the Fray
Morning Session – Group C: France (FRA) vs. Switzerland (SUI)
Start Time: 10:00 am AWST at RAC Arena
Over in Perth, Day 2 opens with Group C action between France (Team 8) and Switzerland (Team 16). The tie begins with Leolia Jeanjean of France facing Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic. Bencic’s return to team competition is a major storyline for the Swiss team.
The second match brings a legend of the game to the court: Stan “The Man” Wawrinka. The three-time Grand Slam champion will battle France’s Arthur Rinderknech. Tennis fans will be eager to see Wawrinka’s signature one-handed backhand in action. The session concludes with a Mixed Doubles rubber involving Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah and doubles specialist Edouard Roger-Vasselin against Bencic and Wawrinka.
Evening Session – Group A: USA vs. Argentina (ARG)
Start Time: Not Before 5:00 pm AWST at RAC Arena
The top-seeded United States (Team 1) begins their title hunt in the evening session against Argentina (Team 14) in Group A. The Americans are fielding a powerhouse lineup, starting with Taylor Fritz taking on the gritty Sebastian Baez. Fritz’s big serve and forehand will go up against Baez’s speed and baseline resilience.
Following the men’s singles, American superstar Coco Gauff takes the stage against Solana Sierra. Gauff will be the heavy favorite, looking to dominate with her athleticism and court coverage. The night concludes with a star-studded Mixed Doubles pairing, as Gauff and Fritz are scheduled to team up against Maria Lourdes Carle and Guido Andreozzi.
Summary of Schedule (Saturday, January 3, 2026)
Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney
- 10:30 am: Elise Mertens (BEL) vs. Lin Zhu (CHN)
- Followed by: Zizou Bergs (BEL) vs. Zhizhen Zhang (CHN)
- Followed by: Mixed Doubles (BEL vs. CHN)
- NB 5:30 pm: Maya Joint (AUS) vs. Malene Helgo (NOR)
- NB 7:00 pm: Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs. Casper Ruud (NOR)
- Followed by: Mixed Doubles (AUS vs. NOR)
RAC Arena, Perth
- 10:00 am: Leolia Jeanjean (FRA) vs. Belinda Bencic (SUI)
- Followed by: Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) vs. Stan Wawrinka (SUI)
- Followed by: Mixed Doubles (FRA vs. SUI)
- NB 5:00 pm: Taylor Fritz (USA) vs. Sebastian Baez (ARG)
- Followed by: Coco Gauff (USA) vs. Solana Sierra (ARG)
- Followed by: Mixed Doubles (USA vs. ARG)
