Who to watch
Iga Swiatek vs. Suzan Lamens: Poland needs a win to advance, and Swiatek vs. 97th-ranked Suzan Lamens seems like the best place for them to get it, right? Maybe not: In their only previous match, last year at the US Open, Lamen took her to 6-4 in the third. Still, Iga is 12-2 in United Cup, and seems eager to bring the trophy home for Poland after twice falling in the final.
Coco Gauff vs. Maria Sakkari: These two have played 10 times since 2020, and split those matches 5-5. Gauff won their two meetings last year, but Sakkari has jumped out of the gates fast in 2026, with wins over Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu. Gauff’s form has swung wildly from one set to the next so far, and her work-in-progress serve may keep things that way for a while.
Taylor Fritz vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas: Fritz, 28, and Tsitsipas, 27, have been circling each other since their junior days, and their head-to-head reflects their career arcs. Tsitsipas, back when he was a Top 5 player, won their first three encounters; Fritz, since surpassing the Greek in the rankings, has won the last two. This match feels important at an individual level: Fritz for his confidence heading into Melbourne; Tsitsipas for the momentum he’ll need to rise from outside the Top 30 over the course of this season.
Stan Wawrinka vs. Sebastian Baez: Did you think these guys would be the heroes for their teams in group play? Neither did I. But Wawrinka and Baez have gone to war in Perth, and are 3-1 combined to show for it. Now the 40-year-old Swiss and the 25-year-old Argentine will meet for the first time.
