In a thrilling day of United Cup tennis, Sebastian Baez and Stan Wawrinka registered big wins.
1. Sebastian Baez Beats Taylor Fritz
25-year-old Argentine Sebastian Baez, ranked in the Top 50, notched his first career ATP win over World No. 6 American Taylor Fritz in a three set showdown. Baez was 0-5 against Fritz and had never taken a set from him.
There’s a first for everything 😤
Sebastian Baez records his first win in six attempts against Fritz, 4-6 7-5 6-4. pic.twitter.com/AfGfv2jDTE
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 3, 2026
In Perth, Baez displayed his athleticism and determination by coming back after losing a tight first set to take the next two from Fritz. Fritz looked out of sorts and admitted that his offseason was devoted to rehabbing tendonitis in his knee that is not resolved.
There was also a scary moment where Fritz fell on the hardcourt, but he got up quickly and bounced back presumably without serious injury.
Baez puts Team Argentina up 1-0 with Coco Gauff about to take the court for the defending champion USA team.
2. Stan Wawrinka Beats Arthur Rinderknech
In another comeback, 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka, who is the player and captain of Team Switzerland, recorded one of his best wins in recent years against France’s Arthur Rinderknech.
Wawrinka lost the first set but stayed focused and slugged his way through to win the final two sets in a 3 hour and 19 minute marathon.
Never count out the Stanimal 💪
Wawrinka bests Rinderknech in a third set breaker to kick off his final season!#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/ZqlHVAF0nw
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 3, 2026
Stan Wawrinka has already announced that 2026 will be his final year on the ATP Tour. This win earns him a victory in 23 ATP seasons, a feat that only his compatriot Roger Federer, Jimmy Connors, Richard Gasquet, and Rafael Nadal have accomplished. (Novak Djokovic has 22 seasons of ATP wins so he will also most likely join this legendary group in 2026.)
United Cup tennis coverage continues on Tennis Channel; live action in Perth and Sydney occurs in the overnight hours of US EST. Matches are replayed on the Tennis Channel during the day.
