Argentina draw first blood: Argentina get off to the perfect start after demolishing Spain to commence 2026 United Cup

The 2026 United Cup has kicked off with a bang, especially if you are Argentinian. They managed to strike the first blow after comfortably defeating Spain 3-0 at the RAC Arena in Perth to boost their chances of making it out of the group.

The competition held in Australia pitches the best men and women players in the world against each other while having the joy and prestige of representing their countries. It sees two singles matchups followed by a mixed doubles finale, only necessary if the scores are level. This was not the case in the opening tie of the event, with Argentina running rampant in Perth.

Sebastian Baez managed to fend off Jaume Munar 6-4, 6-4 to give his country the high ground in a very competitive matchup.

Munar was recently representing Spain at the Davis Cup Finals and did a terrific job in helping his country get to the final before losing out to Italy's hero Flavio Cobolli. His experience in these types of tournaments would be necessary for a deep run. He could have taken an early advantage if he had not failed to take any of the break points on offer.

After a third one came and went, Baez managed to clinch the advantage to make it 3-2. However, he was instantly pegged back by Munar. Two holds of serve directly led to Baez getting a crucial break at the end of the first set. Unlike previously, he was not going to be broken back, wrapping up the first set with his third set point.

With the score at 2-2, three consecutive breaks saw the contest up in the air. Similar to the earlier proceedings, Baez broke to go 3-2 up before Munar levelled straight after. Baez was able to sneak ahead once more, winning four of the final five games on offer in the match to seal a hugely important victory. "I really enjoyed this moment, enjoyed the time on court, so happy to have won this point for Argentina," Baez said after the match.

Solana Sierra completed the win for Argentina as she got the better of Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 5-7, 6-0.

The 21-year-old was making her debut in the event, and looking to clinch only Argentina's second win in the competition since its birth in 2023. It was not a good start after the Spaniard broke the serve, sailing into a 3-1 lead. From then on, Sierra put on the afterburners. She survived another break point before breaking to level up the score. She then won three of the next four games which included a break to love late on to secure the first set.

It looked like she would run away with it after going 2-0 and 5-2 ahead after a brace of breaks. Despite this, it was Bouzas Maneiro's turn to show her quality. For the second time in the set she broke back, turning a 5-2 Sierra lead to 5-5. She continued her purple patch by breaking to go 6-5 ahead before closing out the set by holding to love. That momentum she gained was switched within an instant. After winning five games on the spin, the world number 41 would not gain another as Sierra dropped just eight points enroute to wrapping up proceedings in Perth and gaining victory for her country in truly spectacular fashion.

"It was a really tough match, I had to focus on my game," Sierra said. "I'm proud that I kept going and won in the third set. I knew I had to be tough. I'm super-happy with my level."

Argentina made it a perfect 3-0 scoreline after Guido Andreozzi and Maria Carle defeated Inigo Cervantes and Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers 7-6 (6), 6-2 in the doubles tie to close out a perfect start to the tournament. It is a bitter blow for Spain, with the reigning champions USA the other nation in their group. Baez and Sierra will have the honour of taking on Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff on January 3 before the final match in group A sees Spain and USA fight it out.