Alexander Zverev started his 2026 season with a win as his straight-sets triumph over Tallon Griekspoor helped Germany beat the Netherlands at the United Cup. 

Zverev emerged a 7-5 6-0 victor in just over an hour in Sydney, before the world number three teamed up with Laura Siegemund to win the mixed doubles later in the day. 

Germany started their opening round-robin match of the tournament with a win after Eva Lys downed Suzan Lamens 6-2 6-2 before Zverev clinched the tie in the men's singles. 

Zverev and Siegemund then ensured a clean sweep for Germany with a 6-3 6-2 win against Demi Schuurs and Tallon Griekspoor to see them sit top of Group F. 

Switzerland, meanwhile, surged into the quarter-finals of the competition after two inspired performances from Belinda Bencic sealed a 2-1 victory over Italy. 

Bencic beat Jasmine Paolini 6-4 6-3 to get Switzerland up and running before Flavio Cobolli edged a thrilling clash with Stan Wawrinka to win 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-4). 

But Bencic, along with Jakub Paul, sealed Switzerland's progression with a 7-5, 4-6, 10-7 triumph over three-time major champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori. 

Rising to the occasion @BelindaBencic and Jakub Paul def. Errani/Vavassori 7-5 4-6 [10-7] to seal the first quarterfinal spot. pic.twitter.com/xp1wz7iPgj

— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 4, 2026

Elsewhere at the tournament, Great Britain made a winning start to their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Japan, but saw Emma Raducanu withdraw from her singles match. 

Raducanu has not played since October and was due to play Naomi Osaka, with Katie Swan taking her place and losing 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 to the four-time grand slam champion. 

Billy Harris won his match 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 against Shintaro Mochizuki before Olivia Nicholls and Neal Skupski beat Nao Hibino and Yasutaka Uchiyama in the mixed doubles. 

Data Debrief: Bencic stops the rot against Paolini

Heading into her clash with Paolini, Bencic had lost her last two meetings with the Italian, including a 6-1 6-1 defeat at the 2025 edition of the United Cup. 

She starred on serve, having a first-serve success rate of 78% (49/63) while also converting six of the 17 break points she forced, double the amount of Paolini.