United Cup: Czech Republic get the better of Norway

In this latest edition of the United Cup, two new teams enter the fray.

They are the Czech Republic and Norway. This is the first match in Pool B, which takes place in Sydney.

In the first match of the day, Karolina Muchova started as the favorite.

Up against Malene Helgo, the 2023 French Open finalist made no bones about it, winning 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour and a quarter.

The second match, on the other hand, promised much between Casper Ruud and Tomas Machac.

The match did not disappoint and even offered some spectacular points, and it was at the end of the effort that the Norwegian finally set the record straight (7-6, 5-7, 6-4 in almost three hours of play).

In the decisive mixed doubles, the Karolina Muchova/Tomas Machac pair were up against Ulrikke Eikeri and Viktor Durasovic.

With little to fear, the Czech duo won in two sets (6-4, 6-4) to take the first point of the group for their team.

Pending the opening match against Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz's Poland, the Czech Republic have secured a second decisive match in the race for qualification.

Norway will have to beat Poland if they are to have any hope of progressing, but their chances of qualification are now very much in doubt.