Gauff Leads US Past Greece into United Cup Semis

Coco Gauff of the USA celebrates after winning in the quarter-final mixed doubles match against Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece at the United Cup tennis tournament at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, 07 January 2026. (EPA)
Coco Gauff of the USA celebrates after winning in the quarter-final mixed doubles match against Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece at the United Cup tennis tournament at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, 07 January 2026. (EPA)
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Gauff Leads US Past Greece into United Cup Semis

Coco Gauff of the USA celebrates after winning in the quarter-final mixed doubles match against Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece at the United Cup tennis tournament at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, 07 January 2026. (EPA)
Coco Gauff of the USA celebrates after winning in the quarter-final mixed doubles match against Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece at the United Cup tennis tournament at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, 07 January 2026. (EPA)

The US reached the semi-finals of the United Cup mixed team tournament after beating Greece 2-1 in Perth on Wednesday, as Coco Gauff defeated ​Maria Sakkari before returning to clinch victory for the defending champions in the doubles.

Gauff, a two-times Grand Slam champion, beat Sakkari 6-3 6-2 in an hour and 26 minutes to put the US in front.

The 21-year-old had lost in three sets to world number 42 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro ‌when the ‌US took on Spain in ‌Group ⁠A ​on ‌Monday, but she shot out of the blocks against Sakkari and quickly racked up a 5-0 lead.

Sakkari showed some resistance, winning three straight games, but Gauff held serve to take the opening set before breaking the Greek twice in the second set to wrap ⁠up the win.

Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas then earned a 6-4 7-5 win ‌over world number nine Taylor ‍Fritz to level the ‍tie.

The 27-year-old was afforded little time to savor ‍his first top 10 win since 2024, however, returning to the court just half an hour later alongside Sakkari to take on Gauff and Christian Harrison.

Momentum swung wildly ​in the hard-fought decider, with both teams taking a set apiece to send the match ⁠into a tiebreak.

The US raced into a 5-0 lead in the tiebreak, and though the Greek duo rallied to level at 6-6 a perfectly placed volley from Harrison squeezed through Tsitsipas's legs and sealed a 4-6 6-4 10-8 victory.

"I thought it was great level throughout, we just played free and aggressive," Gauff said.
Switzerland will face Argentina later on Wednesday.

The 18-nation event in Perth and Sydney serves as a ‌warm-up for this month's Australian Open - the season's first Grand Slam.



Kyrgios Says He Won’t Play Singles at Australian Open, Wawrinka Gets Wildcard

Tennis - Brisbane International Tennis Tournament - Queensland Tennis Center, Brisbane, Australia - January 6, 2026 Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts during his round of 32 match against Aleksandar Kovacevic of the US. (Darren England/AAP Image via Reuters)
Tennis - Brisbane International Tennis Tournament - Queensland Tennis Center, Brisbane, Australia - January 6, 2026 Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts during his round of 32 match against Aleksandar Kovacevic of the US. (Darren England/AAP Image via Reuters)
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Kyrgios Says He Won’t Play Singles at Australian Open, Wawrinka Gets Wildcard

Tennis - Brisbane International Tennis Tournament - Queensland Tennis Center, Brisbane, Australia - January 6, 2026 Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts during his round of 32 match against Aleksandar Kovacevic of the US. (Darren England/AAP Image via Reuters)
Tennis - Brisbane International Tennis Tournament - Queensland Tennis Center, Brisbane, Australia - January 6, 2026 Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts during his round of 32 match against Aleksandar Kovacevic of the US. (Darren England/AAP Image via Reuters)

Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios said on Friday he will not play in the singles competition at this month's Australian Open as he is not ready to play ​five-set matches.

The 30-year-old, who reached the quarter-finals of his home Grand Slam in 2015 but has struggled with a series of injuries in recent seasons, will only feature in the doubles at the event, which begins at Melbourne Park on January 18.

Kyrgios has fallen to number 670 in the world and would have needed a wildcard to play in the singles.

Tennis Australia (TA) ‌said on Friday ‌Stan Wawrinka had been given a ‌wildcard ⁠in ​what will ‌be the three-times Grand Slam champion's last appearance at the tournament before he retires at the end of the season.

"After some good conversations with TA I've made the call to focus on doubles for this year's AO," Australian Kyrgios wrote on social media.

"I'm fit and back on court, but five-setters are a different beast and ⁠I'm not quite ready to go the distance yet.

"This tournament means everything to me, ‌but I'd rather give my spot to ‍someone who's ready to make ‍their moment count.

"It's all building blocks and I'll be back ‍next year and pumped to compete. See you out there."

Kyrgios has undergone wrist reconstruction and had two knee surgeries since losing in the 2022 Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic.

He lost in straight sets in the ​opening round of the Brisbane Open by Aleksander Kovacevic on Tuesday. Kyrgios won the men's doubles at the ⁠Australian Open in 2022 when he partnered compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis to victory.

Wawrinka, who announced last month he would hang up his racket at the end of 2026, won the first of his three major titles at Melbourne Park and the 40-year-old was delighted to receive the wildcard.

"Winning the Australian Open in 2014, my first Grand Slam title, is an absolute career highlight for me, so I'm incredibly grateful to receive this wildcard," he added.

"To have the chance to play the Australian Open at the beginning of my final year on ‌tour means the world to me."

Australians Jordan Thompson and Chris O'Connell also received wildcards.


Martinelli Apologizes After Pushing Injured Bradley

Noni Madueke (C) of Arsenal pushes back Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool who is approaching Gabriel Martinelli (R) of Arsenal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 08 January 2026. (EPA)
Noni Madueke (C) of Arsenal pushes back Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool who is approaching Gabriel Martinelli (R) of Arsenal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 08 January 2026. (EPA)
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Martinelli Apologizes After Pushing Injured Bradley

Noni Madueke (C) of Arsenal pushes back Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool who is approaching Gabriel Martinelli (R) of Arsenal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 08 January 2026. (EPA)
Noni Madueke (C) of Arsenal pushes back Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool who is approaching Gabriel Martinelli (R) of Arsenal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 08 January 2026. (EPA)

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli apologized to injured Liverpool right back Conor Bradley after trying to push him off the pitch near the end ​of the 0-0 draw on Thursday.

Bradley fell awkwardly near the touchline in stoppage time and Martinelli clearly thought he was time-wasting, throwing the ball at him before manhandling him.

Liverpool's players reacted angrily and after the ensuing melee, Martinelli and Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate were booked.

Northern Ireland full back Bradley was eventually taken off the field on a stretcher in obvious distress.

"Conor and I have messaged and I've ‌already apologized ‌to him. I really didn't understand he ‌was ⁠seriously ​injured in ‌the heat of the moment," Martinelli posted on social media.

"I want to say I'm deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery."

Martinelli's actions were branded "disgraceful" and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said the Arsenal forward had left him fuming.

"You cannot do that. That is so poor. I think an apology is needed," the ⁠former Manchester United defender said.

"Bradley is being stretchered off. I'm fuming with Martinelli, to be ‌honest. Disgraceful. I'm surprised a Liverpool player ‍hasn't gone over and whacked Martinelli ‍there!"

Fellow pundit Roy Keane also criticized the Brazilian forward.

"I didn't like ‍it. It's happened to me when I was badly injured and a player stood over me, and it's not good... I'm surprised the Liverpool players didn't react to Martinelli more. I think that behavior is an absolute ​disgrace. Not good scenes," Keane said.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he "feared the worst" for Bradley, although he was measured ⁠in his criticism of Martinelli.

"I am 100% sure that if he knew what the injury might be, he wouldn't do that," the Dutchman said. "But it doesn't look great if Bradley has the injury we think he has.

"You don't like to see a player being moved if he might have an injury."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Martinelli would never have tried to move Bradley if he thought he was injured.

"Probably he doesn't know because knowing Gabi, there is zero intention," the Spaniard said.

"I don't know what happened to Conor, but hopefully it's not bad, but ‌obviously, there is no intention from Gabi to do anything bad to him."


Sabalenka Gets Revenge Over Keys in Repeat of Australian Open Final

Aryna Sabalenka (L) of Belarus signs autographs for fans after the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International tennis tournament at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia, 09 January 2026. (EPA)
Aryna Sabalenka (L) of Belarus signs autographs for fans after the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International tennis tournament at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia, 09 January 2026. (EPA)
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Sabalenka Gets Revenge Over Keys in Repeat of Australian Open Final

Aryna Sabalenka (L) of Belarus signs autographs for fans after the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International tennis tournament at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia, 09 January 2026. (EPA)
Aryna Sabalenka (L) of Belarus signs autographs for fans after the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International tennis tournament at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia, 09 January 2026. (EPA)

World number one Aryna Sabalenka sent an Australian Open warning as she beat Madison Keys on Friday in Brisbane in a repeat of last year's Melbourne final.

Keys stunned Sabalenka nearly 12 months ago but the Belarusian took revenge on the American with a statement 6-3, 6-3 victory to reach the semi-finals.

Keys was playing less than 24 hours after her marathon three-hour win over Russia's Diana Shnaider and had heavy strapping on her thigh.

She turned in an uncharacteristically error-strewn performance and struggled on serve as Sabalenka struck a series of superb returns.

Sabalenka, aiming for her third Melbourne title in four years when the Australian Open begins on January 18, said the Brisbane tournament was helping her find form ahead of the first major of the year.

"I'm just trying to bring on court things I have been working on the pre-season, such as coming to the net," she said.

"I was working on my serve and it seems that it's working a little bit better.

"I'm just trying to get some matches, get some wins, get the rhythm going again."

Sabalenka will play Czech surprise package Karolina Muchova in the last four after the 11th seed held her nerve to see off world number five Elena Rybakina 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.

Muchova raced through the first set against an out-of-sorts Rybakina, who eventually found some rhythm to claim the second.

But Muchova broke the former Wimbledon champion once in the third set to get over the line, helped by her opponent's 42 unforced errors.

Muchova has won her last three matches against Sabalenka, although the last was in 2024 at the China Open.

"If it's a year and a half back, we both are different players than we were before," Muchova said.

"But yeah, these matches before were very long battles, I think always three-setters and could have gone either way."