PERTH, Australia (AP) — Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz powered the U.S., tournament winner two years ago, into the semifinals of the United Cup mixed teams tennis event on Wednesday.
In the first singles match, Gauff had a 7-6 (4), 6-2 win over China's Zhang Shuai. Fritz then made sure of victory for the U.S. by edging Zhang Zhizhen 6-4, 6-4.
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Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan, right, shakes hands with Daniel Masur of Germany after winning their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Daniel Masur of Germany hits a return shot to Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Alexander Zverev of Germany, center, talks to his replacement Daniel Masur, left, during a break in Germany's quarter final match against Alexander Shevchenko, after Zverev pulled out with a bicep injury from the United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan hits a return shot to Laura Siegemund of Germany during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan serves to Laura Siegemund of Germany during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff of the United States talk between point against Petra Marcinko and Ivan Dodig of Croatia during their United Cup mixed doubles tennis match in Perth, Australia, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff of the United States laugh as they celebrate defeating Petra Marcinko and Ivan Dodig of Croatia in their United Cup mixed doubles tennis match in Perth, Australia, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Shuai Zhang of China hits a return shot to Coco Gauff of the United States during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Coco Gauff of the United States serves to Shuai Zhang of China during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Coco Gauff of the United States, right, after defeating Shuai Zhang of China in their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Britain's Katie Boulter is congratulated by teammates following her win over Australia's Olivia Gadecki during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Britain's Katie Boulter is congratulated by Australia's Olivia Gadecki following their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Britain's Katie Boulter reacts following her win over Australia's Olivia Gadecki during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Zhibek Kulambayeva, top, and Dmitry Popko of Kazakhstan play Laura Siegemund and Tim Puetz of Germany in their United Cup quarter final mixed doubles tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Laura Siegemund, rear, and Tim Puetz of Germany play Zhibek Kulambayeva and Dmitry Popko of Kazakhstan in their United Cup mixed doubles quarter final tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Laura Siegemund of Germany hits a return shot to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Laura Siegemund of Germany serves to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan hits a return shot to Laura Siegemund of Germany during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan hits a return shot to Daniel Masur of Germany during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan stretches to reach the ball from to Daniel Masur of Germany during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Daniel Masur of Germany hits a return to Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Poland's Hubert Hurkaz plays a backhand return to Czech Republic's Tomas Machac during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Czech Republic's Tomas Machac plays a forehand return to Poland's Hubert Hurkaz during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Poland's Iga Swiatek, left, is congratulated by Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova following their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Poland's Iga Swiatek, left, is congratulated by Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova following their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Czech Republic's Tomas Machac celebrates after defeating Poland's Hubert Hurkaz during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Czech Republic's Tomas Machac celebrates teammates after defeating Poland's Hubert Hurkaz during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Alexander Zverev of Germany hits a return shot to Zhizhen Zhang of China during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Poland's Iga Swiatek is congratulated by teammates after defeating Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova in their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Poland's Iga Swiatek celebrates after defeating Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan hits a return shot to Daniel Masur of Germany during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
“Shuai was playing amazing tennis out there. I was literally on the ground for most of the match,” world No. 3 Gauff said. “The harder I hit, the harder she was hitting. I felt like I couldn’t get her on defense.”
The No. 4-ranked Fritz said he didn't want to let Gauff down.
“There was a little bit of pressure because I didn’t want to be the one who loses it for the team after Coco won all her matches this week,” he said.
The Americans completed a 3-0 sweep when Desirae Krawczyk and Robert Galloway beat Zhang and Sun Fajing 6-3, 6-7 (1), 10-3 in the mixed doubles. The U.S. next meets either Italy or Czech Republic, who play their quarterfinal on Friday.
Kazakhstan also advanced to the semifinals with a 2-1 win over a Germany team playing without the injured world No. 2 Alexander Zverev.
Zverev was a late scratch due to a biceps injury. He was scheduled to face Alexander Shevchenko but withdrew at the last minute with Kazakhstan leading the tie 1-0 after Elena Rybakina beat Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-1.
Shevchenko beat Zverev's replacement, Daniel Masur, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2 to clinch the tie while Zverev watched from the sidelines. Germany won the later mixed doubles.
Shevchenko took a medical timeout due to heat exhaustion while leading 1-0 in the second set. He came back from the break to dominate the rest of the match.
“It was a heat problem for sure,” Shevchenko said. “I had a bit of a headache, my head was spinning. It was a struggle this match. To play in this heat was so tough."
Kazakhstan next meets Poland or Britain, who play Thursday in Sydney, where all remaining matches in the tournament will be played.
In Sydney, Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz won their deciding mixed doubles match over the Czech Republic to qualify Poland for the quarterfinals.
World No. 2 Swiatek and Hurkacz beat Tomáš Macháč and Karolína Muchová 7-6 (3), 6-3 in the decider at Ken Rosewall Arena. The Polish team led 5-2 before allowing the Czechs back into the first set.
In earlier singles, Macháč gave the Czech Republic the lead with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 win over Hurkacz before Swiatek evened the tie with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Muchová.
Also in Sydney, Katie Boulter's 6-2, 6-1 win over Olivia Gadecki of Australia helped Britain clinch a quarterfinal place.
Boulter went into the match in the knowledge that a straight-set victory would ensure Britain's progress to the last eight as Group F winner.
“I've been trying to avoid all the stats ... but we were at dinner with (former British No. 1 Laura Robson) last night and she thankfully told me I had to win in straight sets,” Boulter said.
Alex de Minaur, who is engaged to marry Boulter, drew the host level with a 6-2, 6-1 triumph over Billy Harris before he combined with Gadecki to defeat Charles Broom and Olivia Nicholls 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the mixed doubles. Australia's 2-1 victory, though, was not enough to qualify the team for the last eight.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan, right, shakes hands with Daniel Masur of Germany after winning their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Daniel Masur of Germany hits a return shot to Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Alexander Zverev of Germany, center, talks to his replacement Daniel Masur, left, during a break in Germany's quarter final match against Alexander Shevchenko, after Zverev pulled out with a bicep injury from the United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan hits a return shot to Laura Siegemund of Germany during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan serves to Laura Siegemund of Germany during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff of the United States talk between point against Petra Marcinko and Ivan Dodig of Croatia during their United Cup mixed doubles tennis match in Perth, Australia, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff of the United States laugh as they celebrate defeating Petra Marcinko and Ivan Dodig of Croatia in their United Cup mixed doubles tennis match in Perth, Australia, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Shuai Zhang of China hits a return shot to Coco Gauff of the United States during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Coco Gauff of the United States serves to Shuai Zhang of China during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Coco Gauff of the United States, right, after defeating Shuai Zhang of China in their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Britain's Katie Boulter is congratulated by teammates following her win over Australia's Olivia Gadecki during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Britain's Katie Boulter is congratulated by Australia's Olivia Gadecki following their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Britain's Katie Boulter reacts following her win over Australia's Olivia Gadecki during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Zhibek Kulambayeva, top, and Dmitry Popko of Kazakhstan play Laura Siegemund and Tim Puetz of Germany in their United Cup quarter final mixed doubles tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Laura Siegemund, rear, and Tim Puetz of Germany play Zhibek Kulambayeva and Dmitry Popko of Kazakhstan in their United Cup mixed doubles quarter final tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Laura Siegemund of Germany hits a return shot to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Laura Siegemund of Germany serves to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan hits a return shot to Laura Siegemund of Germany during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan hits a return shot to Daniel Masur of Germany during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan stretches to reach the ball from to Daniel Masur of Germany during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Daniel Masur of Germany hits a return to Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Poland's Hubert Hurkaz plays a backhand return to Czech Republic's Tomas Machac during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Czech Republic's Tomas Machac plays a forehand return to Poland's Hubert Hurkaz during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Poland's Iga Swiatek, left, is congratulated by Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova following their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Poland's Iga Swiatek, left, is congratulated by Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova following their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Czech Republic's Tomas Machac celebrates after defeating Poland's Hubert Hurkaz during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Czech Republic's Tomas Machac celebrates teammates after defeating Poland's Hubert Hurkaz during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Alexander Zverev of Germany hits a return shot to Zhizhen Zhang of China during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
Poland's Iga Swiatek is congratulated by teammates after defeating Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova in their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Poland's Iga Swiatek celebrates after defeating Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan hits a return shot to Daniel Masur of Germany during their United Cup tennis match in Perth, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
