Australia have reached the quarterfinals of the United Cup after a strong team performance in Perth.
After losing their opening tie to Great Britain, the home nation needed to defeat the United States to have any chance of progressing in the tournament.
Alex de Minaur got Australia off to the perfect start, however, Ajla Tomljanović's loss in the women's singles meant a straight-sets win in the doubles was required.
Fortunately, the duo of Storm Hunter and Matthew Ebden did just that to guide the team into the next phase.
MORE: United Cup 2024 – Schedule and results
De Minaur records impressive win over Fritz
Australia's top-ranked tennis player delivered a top-level performance at RAC Arena on Monday night, defeating world No. 10 Taylor Fritz in straight sets.
De Minaur rebounded from his disappointing defeat to Cameron Norrie on the weekend to kick-start his nation's tie against the USA, winning 6-4 6-2.
THE DEMON HAS BEEN UNLEASHED 🤯🤯🤯@alexdeminaur sends the RAC Arena into a frenzy!!!#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/v4UrT9LlrM
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 1, 2024
“Today was a little bit of a new year, new me type of thing,” de Minaur said, via SMH.
"It worked out well. I was in a great head space. I played the type of tennis I wanted to play, so I’m very happy with that.
"I’ve played Taylor plenty of times. He’s got some explosive firepower, and you have to try to not let him dictate play.
"I tried to be aggressive. I was able to execute. I’m very happy with that."
Tomljanović falls to Pegula
Tomljanović recorded her second consecutive loss of the tournament, falling to world No. 5 Jessica Pegula in straight sets.
The 30-year-old is still returning to form following a lengthy injury layoff but still managed to push Pegula to an opening set tiebreak.
However, the Australian was unable to keep up in the second set, falling 7-6(6) 6-3.
🇺🇸 1 - 1 🇦🇺
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 1, 2024
Pegula defeats Tomljanovic 7-6 6-3 to level the tie.
It's down to the doubles for Australia to keep their #UnitedCup alive. 🎾 pic.twitter.com/QOEkSgoL2t
Hunter and Ebden combine for dominant doubles victory
With the tie locked at 1-1, Australia's doubles duo Hunter and Ebden had to win their match against Pegula and Rajeev Ram in straight sets to help their country progress.
To the delight of the home crowd, they delivered, recording a 6-3 6-1 victory.
Quarter-finals bound ✈️🇦🇺@mattebden and @stormsanders94 knock out defending champions Team USA to put Team Australia into the last eight.#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/fmrV3yX7ma
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 1, 2024
The result meant all three teams in Group C had 1-1 records.
However, Australia's superior set win percentage (53.85) saw them finish at the top of the pile and secure their spot in the quarterfinals in Perth.
"They (Australia) played fantastic – it was great," team captain Lleyton Hewitt said.
"I'm very proud. It was backs against the wall after our first match.
"They left everything out there. It bodes well for Wednesday night."
The United States are still alive in second in Group C but will require Serbia to lose on Tuesday to have any chance of progressing.