Naomi Osaka celebrates her victory towards Katie Swan within the United Cup. Photograph: AFP
PERTH:
4-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka bought her 2026 season off to a profitable begin for Japan within the United Cup, after Nice Britain’s Emma Raducanu pulled out of their singles conflict with a health concern.
However regardless of Osaka’s win, GB took the match 2-1 with a deciding blended doubles victory.
Osaka was too robust for GB reserve and 276th-ranked Katie Swan, profitable 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 as Raducanu watched from the sidelines.
“I am pleased with how I fought,” Osaka mentioned. “I would by no means performed right here, it was powerful.”
GB captain Tim Henman mentioned Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, may seem later within the occasion.
“I do not assume she’s essentially out of this match simply but. So we’re retaining our fingers crossed,” mentioned Henman.
Billy Harris, standing in for the injured Jack Draper, started with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 defeat of Shintaro Mochizuki.
“It is nice to get the primary win, even when there have been some shaky bits. I closed it out effectively on the finish,” mentioned Harris.
Nice Britain sealed the match when Neal Skupski and Olivia Nicholls defeated Yasutaka Uchiyama and Nao Hibino 7-5, 4-6, 10-7.
In Sydney, Alexander Zverev clinched victory for Germany towards The Netherlands because the world quantity three demolished Tallon Griekspoor 7-5, 6-0.
Eva Lys beat Suzan Lamens 6-2, 6-2 and Germany additionally took the doubles for a 3-0 sweep.
Taking part in his first match of 2026, Zverev dropped simply seven factors in a commanding second set.
“The primary set, it was powerful to get rhythm,”mentioned Zverev. “As soon as I bought the probabilities, I did effectively and I am very pleased with the win.”
The 18-nation mixed-team occasion in Perth and Sydney is a warm-up for the Australian Open which begins on January 18.
