Canada had gotten on the board on Sunday when they defeated Croatia 2-1, winning their mixed doubles match in straight sets over Lucija Ciric Bagaric and Ivan Dodig, but couldn’t repeat the feat against Gauff and Fritz, who won in straight sets.
Both Gauff and Fritz are coming off superb finishes to their 2024 seasons, winning and reaching the final of their respective year-end championships. Fritz made his first Grand Slam final at the US Open and came within a win of a Nitto ATP Finals victory, losing both times to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Team USA will next face Croatia in the final Group A tie of the week, Fritz scheduled to face Borna Coric while Gauff will take on Donna Vekic, who defeated the young American last summer at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Earlier in the day, the Czech Republic defeated Norway 2-1 in Group B while the Italians blanked Team Switzerland 3-0, Jasmine Paolini allowing comeback kid Belinda Bencic just two games in women’s singles.
