BRISBANE — Great Britain has defeated Argentina 2-1 in the United Cup thanks to a thrilling win in the mixed doubles, giving Australia a massive helping hand in the process.
Katie Boulter and Charles Broom sealed the win for Great Britain with a 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 triumph over Maria Carle and Tomas Etcheverry in a one hour and 45-minute deciding match at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena on Monday.
Etcheverry had squared the ledger with a comeback 6-3 3-6 2-6 win over Billy Harris after Boulter won the women’s singles 6-2 6-3 against Nadia Podoroska.
Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, said that his recently retired rival Andy Murray was bringing a unique perspective as his new coach and he was eager to put into practice what the duo have discussed when he begins his season in Brisbane.
Djokovic, a 24-times Grand Slam champion, added fellow former world number one Murray to his team last month and will work with the Scot until the end of the Australian Open next month before deciding on their future.
“He has a unique perspective on my game as one of the greatest rivals I’ve had. He knows the pros and cons of my game,” said Djokovic, who spent 10 days recently with Murray preparing for the 2025 campaign.
Djokovic will be without Murray in Brisbane but the 37-year-old Serb is keen to get the most out of his new coach when they reunite ahead of the Jan. 12-26 Australian Open.
“He played until recently on the tour, so he knows all the other best players currently in the world, the youngsters and the weaknesses and strengths in their game. I look forward to it, I really do,” Djokovic added according to Reuters.
“I think he’s bringing a fresh look to my game and I’ll be able to benefit from that, no doubt, on the court. But also that champion mentality he has, I’m sure we’ll match very well.”
Djokovic opens his Brisbane campaign against Rinky Hijikata this week and is looking to win a 100th ATP singles title before his tilt at a record-extending 11th Australian Open crown.
The Paris Olympics champion is also planning a busier schedule in 2025, after his world ranking slipped to number seven.
“I’m planning to play a few more tournaments than I did last season,” he said.
“Hopefully the level is also going to go up and as a consequence I’ll be able to hopefully win a few tournaments and get my ranking higher.”
Elsewhere, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka made a winning return to the court after an almost three month absence on Monday in the first round of the ASB tennis classic in Auckland, undeterred by protests outside the stadium against her Israeli opponent.
Osaka beat qualifier Lina Glushko 6-4, 6-4 in a tight contest in her first match since October when a back injury at the China Open ended her 2024 season.
All the hallmarks of Osaka’s game were present Monday: the powerful serve, forceful ground-strokes particularly from the forehand side and the aggression. She looked relaxed and comfortable on court with no sign of her recent injury.
Osaka had to deal with a swirling wind on center court and with delays in play caused by the chants of a small group of protesters which were clearly audible within the stadium. There was a longer break as Osaka was poised to serve out the first set when Glushko had to leave the court for treatment to a hip injury.
“I had no idea what the score was most of the time,” Osaka said. “I just kept trying to tell myself one point at a time and trying not to get discouraged.
“Thankfully it came out in my favor in the end.”
Glushko held to love in the seventh game to lead 4-3 but Osaka seemed to step up at that point, held with two aces for 4-4, broke for 5-4 and held serve to love to clinch the win.
Her serve was solid throughout. She sent down seven aces and won 74 percent of first serve points. Her first serve averaged around 180kmh (111mph) and her slice around 140kmh (87mph).
“I think she’s a really amazing opponent. I’ve never played her before,” Osaka said. “It was good to have to scrap a little for the first round.”
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