United Cup
Australia survives tough opening United Cup tie against Norway
Ruud had beaten De Minaur to keep Norway’s tie hopes alive
January 03, 2026
Jason McCawley/Getty Images
John-Patrick Smith and Storm Hunter clinch Australia’s victory against Norway in the early moments of Sunday morning in Sydney.
By ATP/WTA Staff
Australia survived a stern test into the early hours of Sunday morning at the United Cup.
Storm Hunter and John-Patrick Smith rallied past Viktor Durasovic and Ulrikke Eikeri 4-6, 6-1, 10-4 in a deciding mixed doubles to secure Australia’s 2-1 triumph against Norway.
“I’ll tell you what, Storm set it up big time there… I was just on the court, I was participating,” Smith said. “She was returning well, she was moving well. She had really good control on all her shots. It was a great win and a great comeback as well. It’s never easy playing against a good team.”
Hunter had started the night on a positive note for the home country, stepping in for an ill Maya Joint to defeat Malene Helgo in singles. She then returned to the court for the critical doubles alongside United Cup debutant Smith.
In the first set, the Norwegians swung freely to put pressure on the Australians. But Hunter and Smith started well in the second set and never looked back.
“I think we just became a bit more aggressive and just wanted to play on our terms and brought the energy a little bit more,” Hunter said. “We went after it and in mixed doubles anything can happen. We had a few chances in the first set, didn’t quite get them, so in the second we were able to convert them.”
Casper Ruud made a big statement in the second match of the tie when he cruised past home star Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 34 minutes to level the tie.
“I’m happy to get a great start,” Ruud told ATP No. 1 Club member Jim Courier in his on-court interview. “To beat Alex here in Australia is one of the toughest challenges we have in tennis, so I’m super happy to have that on my resume now.”
Ruud played aggressively and decisively, preventing De Minaur from finding any rhythm. The former No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings saved all five break points he faced and consistently put pressure on the Australian’s serve, earning 10 break chances and converting three.
“It’s a great start a new season,” Ruud said. “I think we’ve all seen Alex in better shape than he was today. He was doing a few unforced errors that typically he doesn’t, so I got some free points here and there. You saw in the beginning he was struggling with his serve, so I got a free break and just built from there.”
Photo Credit: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
Hunter, 31, returned to competition last season after missing nearly a year between March 2024 and March 2025 because of an Achilles tendon injury that required surgery. She stepped in as a last-minute replacement on Saturday for Australia No. 1 Joint, who was sidelined because of illness.
The experienced left hander made a fast start against the 26-year-old Helgo, who is competing in the United Cup for the fourth time. Hunter broke serve twice in the opening set to take it 6-2.
Helgo, ranked No. 532 and seeking her first WTA Tour victory, raced to a 4-1 lead in the second set before Hunter — a former world No. 1 doubles player and a Grand Slam mixed doubles champion — rallied to level the set at 5-5.
Helgo saved three break points in a crucial 11th game to hold for a 6-5 lead, but Hunter held serve to force a tie-break. The Australian then dominated the tie-break to seal a 6-2, 7-6(3) victory.
