Argentina has delivered the first major shock of the 2026 United Cup, overpowering a favoured Spanish team in the tournament's opening session at Perth's RAC Arena. The South American nation sealed a crucial 2-0 victory in the Group A tie on Friday, January 2, thanks to gritty singles wins from Solana Sierra and Sebastian Baez.
Underdogs Triumph in Tense Battles
The result marks a significant upset, with both Argentine players entering the matches as clear underdogs on paper. Sierra, ranked 25 places below world number 41 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, clinched a hard-fought three-set victory 6-4, 5-7, 6-0. Her compatriot, Sebastian Baez, ranked 12 spots below men's world number 33 Jaume Munar, secured a straight-sets win 6-4, 6-4.
Neither victory came easily. Baez was forced to slog through two demanding sets, each lasting over 50 minutes, against an opponent who fired all seven aces of the match. Sierra's contest stretched beyond two hours, featuring a dramatic momentum swing in the second set before she dominated the decider.
Match Breakdown: Sierra's Resilience and Baez's Nerve
Solana Sierra's match was a rollercoaster. After conceding an early break, she fought back to level the first set at 3-3 before breaking at 5-4 to take the lead. She then raced to a 5-2 advantage in the second, seemingly poised for a straight-sets win. However, Bouzas Maneiro launched a fierce counter-attack, reeling off five consecutive games to steal the set and force a decider.
The fightback proved short-lived. Sierra was imperious in the third set, winning 12 of 17 service points and six games in a row to seal the match and inflict a 'bagel' (6-0) set on her Spanish rival.
In the earlier men's singles, Sebastian Baez displayed immense composure under pressure. He held serve for the first eight games before breaking Munar to go 5-4 up. He then held his nerve at deuce to claim the first set. The second set saw the pair trade breaks early before Baez broke again for a 4-3 lead, eventually serving out the decisive game to love.
Group A Implications and Looking Ahead
This result dramatically reshapes the dynamics of Group A. Argentina will now approach their Saturday night showdown with the powerhouse United States team brimming with confidence. Their stunning victory has burst the bubble of their more-fancied Spanish opponents.
For Spain, the loss places them in a precarious position, staring down the face of potential elimination. They must regroup quickly ahead of their own critical match against the USA on Monday, January 5. The pressure is now squarely on the Spanish squad to keep their United Cup campaign alive.
The opening day in Perth has set the tone for a highly competitive tournament, proving that rankings can be swiftly overturned by determination and skill on the court.
