After a singles loss and social media drama earlier in the week, Coco Gauff did all her talking on court Wednesday in the United Cup quarterfinals.
Gauff won twice — once in singles and then a clinching victory in mixed doubles — to send the Americans into the semifinals in Sydney on Saturday.
Gauff beat Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-2 to give the defending champion United States a 1-0 lead over Greece. Taylor Fritz, affected by knee tendinitis, had a chance in his singles match to clinch the quarterfinal against Stefanos Tsitsipas, but lost 6-4 7-5. That sent the quarterfinal match to a mixed doubles decider.
In that match, Gauff and Christian Harrison beat Tsitsipas and Sakkari 4-6, 6-4, 10-8. It was on track for a runaway in the third-set, 10-point tiebreaker when the Americans led 4-0 and 5-1, but the Greek pair rallied to level it at 6-6. Gauff and Harrison held on for the win.
“I think I was striking the ball well today, and when that happens, my movement on the court is also good,” Gauff said after her singles win. “I usually know it’s going to be a good day.”
On Monday, Gauff dropped a post on social media about a half-hour before she started her singles match, hoping to add context to her recent comments about American tennis fans.
“I‘m going to clarify because people are dragging this out of context,” Gauff said in the pre-match morning social media post, referring to the “worst” comment she made earlier at the tournament when comparing support for players from smaller countries with the kind of support American players receive on foreign soil.
“Those from smaller countries come with their colors and flags and it is clear on who they are supporting.” Gauff said in her post. “I was just speaking from my perspective. I understand the financial aspect of things and know tennis is not accessible for everyone, it was more of a comment for those who are already attending and how I wish they were as passionate as those from other countries.”
The 21-year-old Gauff, a two-time major winner, said her initial comments were in response to a question at a news conference.
“I was asked and it was simply an observation I noticed about other countries vs. mine that is all,” she said. “Nevertheless I am grateful for any support no matter how big or small it is.”
In a clip of the news conference posted on X, Gauff said: “I feel like we’re definitely in the tennis department the worst when it comes to that.”
She added that at previous team events she’d noticed that players from other countries get more animated support from their fans than the American tennis players do, but attributed that to the U.S. sports fans having so many successful teams and athletes to support.
The ensuing match didn’t go well for the No. 4-ranked Gauff, who lost the first five games and struggled in a 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-0 loss to No. 42 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. But Fritz won his singles match against Spain and Gauff and Harrison combined in mixed doubles to clinch top spot in Group A.
When @stanwawrinka says no ????
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 7, 2026
In a night quarterfinal at Perth later Wednesday, Switzerland advanced 2-1 over Argentina. Belinda Bencic beat Solana Sierra 6-2, 6-2 before Sebastian Baez leveled the match for Argentina with a 7-5, 6-4 win over retiring veteran Stan Wawrinka.
Bencic and Jakub Paul won the deciding mixed doubles 6-3, 6-3 over Maria Lourdes Carle and Guido Andreozzi, setting up a semifinal showdown for Switzerland against either Belgium or Czech Republic.
At Sydney, Hubert Hurkacz and Iga Świątek were victorious in their singles matches to give Poland a winning 2-0 lead over Netherlands and a place in the quarterfinals from Group F. Poland is expected to play Australia in the quarterfinals.
Newshttps://https://ift.tt/kEoeMqt puts social media fans drama aside to do her talking on the corurt at United Cup
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