Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina hits a return to Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro during their women's singles match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Perth on Friday. — AFP PERTH, Dec 27 (AFP): World number six Elena Rybakina led Kazakhstan to a 2-1 defeat of Spain on Friday, as the former Wimbledon champion made a winning start to the season at the United Cup mixed-team event.
The All England Club winner from 2022 clinched the opening tie of the 18-nation ATP-WTA event, which begins the 2025 year in Perth and Sydney.
Each team features three men and three women, with ties comprising one men's and one women's singles and an often decisive mixed-doubles clash.
Rybakina and Alexander Shevchenko produced a 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (2/7), 10-7 result over Spaniards Pablo Carreno Busta and Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers in the mixed doubles to earn the win.
"It was a really tough one, first matches are always difficult," Rybakina said. "It's not easy to get used to it that quick, but I'm really happy with the way I played today."
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