Game, set, match.
Australia have qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2026 United Cup.
Storm Hunter and Alex de Minaur have carried this team, with a 6-2, 6-3 victory in the mixed doubles to put them at the top of group D.
This outcome did not look likely even two days ago, but de Minaur managed to turn his game around, and he and Hutner came through to win the tie.
Now, Australia will likely play Poland on Friday for a spot in the semi-finals.
Australia are one step closer to a quarter-final appearance as they snag a break in this second set.
It was Hunter’s work at the net that put the ball between Skoch and Svrcina and seal a 4-2 lead.
Australia to serve. The end is near.
So far, so good for the Australians in the second set.
It’s a little quiet in Ken Rosewall Arena, with team Czechia drawing some errors from their opponents in this set, but Australia are still 2-1 up with Czechia on serve.
De Minaur and Hunter break on deciding point to take the first set 6-3 in 32 minutes.
Quick work from the Australians. The whole team are on their feet, while the home nation’s chances of a quarter-final remain alive.
If Australia win tonight, it’s likely they’ll play Poland in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Australia are one game away from closing out this first set, with Hunter and de Minaur 5-2 up with Czechia on serve.
De Minaur is lightning fast at the net. Sometimes it brings its own errors with a ball catapulting past the baseline, but more often than not de Minaur is getting the ball past Skoch and Svrcina before they even know it.
De Minaur and Hunter get the break and go 3-1 up in this first set.
Impressive work at the net from both players, who are leaving nothing out there.
Team Australia begin the match with a crucial hold.
It was getting a bit hairy there, with Skoch and Svrcina aggressive at the net, but de Minaur and Hunter were able to hold on the deciding point.
Play is under way.
It’s Alex de Minaur to serve first for team Australia.
It’s time for a mixed doubles tie.
Czechia have also swapped their line-up, with Miriam Skoch and Dalibor Svrcina taking to the court.
My working out shows that even if Czechia lose, they have wrapped-up a quarter-final spot by being the best runners-up, which is why they have rested Barbora Krejcikova. A
We have confirmation, our mixed doubles tie will begin at 9.15pm.
Bring it on.