World quantity six Elena Rybakina led Kazakhstan to a 2-1 defeat of Spain on Friday, as the previous Wimbledon champion made a profitable begin to the season on the United Cup mixed-team occasion. The All England Club winner from 2022 clinched the opening tie of the 18-nation ATP-WTA occasion, which begins the 2025 12 months in Perth and Sydney. Each group options three males and three girls, with ties comprising one males’s and one girls’s singles and an typically decisive mixed-doubles conflict.
Rybakina and Alexander Shevchenko produced a 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (2/7), 10-7 consequence over Spaniards Pablo Carreno Busta and Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers within the combined doubles to earn the win.
“It was a really tough one, first matches are always difficult,” Rybakina stated. “It’s not easy to get used to it that quick, but I’m really happy with the way I played today.”
Rybakina, who gained three titles in her first eight tournaments final season earlier than being sidelined by accidents and sickness, secured the primary level for the Kazakhs, defeating Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-3 of their singles rubber.
Shevchenko was unable to beat the 33-year-old Carreno Busta in his singles match to seal the tie, dropping 6-2, 6-1 and throwing the session into the deciding combined doubles.
The final result remained doubtful till the tip, with Rybakina dueling with the Spaniards earlier than Shevchenko ended the drama with a profitable volley on the web after 82 minutes.
Shevchenko praised his Grand Slam champion teammate for “carrying me”, whereas Rybakina credited his preventing spirit for getting the job carried out within the last set.
China face Brazil within the evening session in Perth, with the motion in Sydney beginning on Saturday.
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