Singles authority and doubles poise underline American depth as the mixed team event highlights tennis’s next wave

PERTH — The United States booked its place in the United Cup semifinals with a composed, professional performance led by Coco Gauff, who delivered in both singles and doubles to steer her team past Greece. In a tournament designed to test versatility and depth across genders, the Americans leaned on their emerging star’s maturity and competitive clarity, turning a potentially tricky tie into a statement of intent.

Gauff’s day unfolded with the assurance of a player increasingly comfortable with leadership. In singles, she controlled tempo and space, absorbing pressure early before tightening the screws with cleaner returns and a more assertive court position. The win did not hinge on flash but on efficiency: solid first serves, disciplined shot selection, and a willingness to extend rallies until openings appeared. It was the kind of performance that speaks to growth—less about raw athleticism, more about decision-making under match stress.

The United Cup’s mixed-team format has a way of amplifying small moments. A loose service game can swing momentum; a confident hold can steady an entire bench. Gauff understood that dynamic and embraced it. Her singles victory set the tone, but it was the doubles that confirmed the Americans’ authority. Paired with a teammate who complemented her speed and instincts at the net, Gauff helped close the door with crisp communication and tactical clarity. The pair pressured returns, protected service games, and navigated momentum shifts with calm efficiency.

For Greece, the challenge was steep. The team fought to impose its strengths, probing for openings and pushing exchanges into longer patterns. There were passages of resistance—games that stretched, rallies that tested patience—but the Americans answered with structure. The U.S. bench stayed engaged, reading patterns and adjusting positions, a hallmark of a side that has grown accustomed to the demands of team tennis.

Beyond the immediate result, the tie underscored what the United Cup aims to showcase: a bridge between individual excellence and collective responsibility. The event’s format rewards adaptability, pairing players in unfamiliar combinations and asking them to solve problems quickly. For Gauff, the environment appears to sharpen her focus. Her ability to toggle between singles authority and doubles nuance reflects a broader evolution in her game, one that values margin and clarity as much as power.

The American pathway to the semifinals has been defined by depth. While Gauff provided the headline, the supporting cast delivered stability—holding serve when required, managing nerves in tight moments, and maintaining energy across long days. It is a balance that bodes well as the tournament sharpens, where the margins thin and pressure compounds.

The United Cup has also become a proving ground for rising talents, a stage where reputations are tested against the immediacy of team consequence. Young players learn quickly that every point resonates beyond the baseline. In that sense, Gauff’s performance carried weight beyond the scoreboard. It modeled composure for teammates and sent a signal to rivals that the United States is comfortable with expectations.

As the semifinals loom, the Americans will face a different level of scrutiny. Opponents will arrive with deeper benches and more varied weapons, and the mixed format will demand precise pairings and tactical flexibility. Yet the foundation is firm. With Gauff anchoring the effort—bringing poise, pace, and a growing tactical acumen—the U.S. enters the next phase with momentum and belief.

For Greece, the campaign ends with lessons rather than regrets. Competing against a balanced side exposed areas to refine, from return positioning to doubles coordination. The experience, however, fits the United Cup’s ethos: development through competition, exposure through challenge.

On a warm Perth evening, the result felt both decisive and instructive. The United States advanced not by overwhelming force but by organized execution. At the center stood Gauff, carrying the responsibility with a steadiness that suggests her leadership chapter is only beginning.