British players Cameron Norrie and Katie Swan delivered strong performances against Spanish opponents, shaping a day of competitive ties in the United Cup across multiple Australian cities. The clash between Rafael Nadal and Nuria Parrizas was a focal point on the third day, showcasing a mix of seasoned experience and rising talent within the international team competition.
Norrie, who had not previously claimed a set from Nadal in their meetings, found a breakthrough in the second set to edge Nadal 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. The match stretched nearly three hours, marking England’s first win on the day and signaling a notable turnaround as the former world number one pressed with persistence. The late surge in the second set helped Norrie turn the tide and establish momentum that carried into the deciding frame.
Nadal, returning to action after a break following the Nitto ATP Finals, showed glimpses of the form that has defined his career. Yet Norrie elevated the intensity at key moments, forcing errors and converting pressure into decisive points. Nadal faced a critical moment when he saved two break points in the second set at 3-2, an example of his resilience even as the match swung in his opponent’s favor.
Katie Swan, ranked 145 in the ATP singles standings, achieved a significant milestone by breaking into the top 100 with a win over Nuria Parrizas. Swan captured the first set, but Parrizas fought back to claim the next two sets, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, granting Swan an important victory for the English squad. The result contributed to a strong 2-0 English lead, positioning the team within reach of the summit of Group D. England’s performance started with a victory over Australia earlier in the campaign, leaving them one win away from securing a strong position in the group.
Group B update
In Group B, the top-ranked player Iga Swiatek from Poland dominated Kazakh competitor Yulia Putintseva in Brisbane, controlling the match from start to finish with a 6-1, 6-3 triumph. Meanwhile, Daniel Michalski of Poland faced a tough assignment against Timofey Skatov, narrowly losing 7-6(7), 6-2. The outcome of the Group B clash will hinge on the upcoming match on Sunday featuring Alexander Bublik against Hubert Hurkacz, a contest that could decide the group’s final standings.
Another notable result came from Group C where Jiri Lehecka delivered a surprising victory over German star Alexander Zverev, 6-4, 6-2, delivering the Czech Republic its first win of the day in Group C. Lehecka’s performance contrasted with Jule Niemeier’s efforts, which saw Niemeier fall in straight sets in her encounter. The day highlighted the depth across the group, with emerging players challenging established talents on the big stage.
In Group F, Croatia also secured a double win, defeating Argentina in both matches. Donna Vekic overwhelmed Maria Lourde 6-0, 6-4, while Borna Coric prevailed over Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-4, demonstrating Croatia’s consistent form. Brazil’s Felipe Alves Meligeni outpaced Viktor Durasovic of Norway 6-3, 6-3. In another tightly contested tie, Belgian David Goffin dropped a close match to Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, 4-6, 5-7, illustrating how every match on the day carried important implications for group outcomes.
The day’s schedule continued to emphasize the mixed format of the United Cup, with players from several nations stepping into the spotlight to contribute to their country’s standing in the group standings. The competition’s structure encouraged teams to pursue aggressive starts and maintain pressure through longer rallies, often turning decisive points into turning points for the overall tie. The results on this day set the stage for upcoming matches that could reshape the final group compositions as teams head toward the closing rounds of the event.