RUTHLESS CZECHIA UPSET ITALY TO BOOK UNITED CUP SEMI WITH USA

Czechia have booked their spot in the United Cup semi-finals after dominating Italy through sublime performances from Karolina Muchová and Tomáš Macháč, as both Czech singles stars played their best match of the fortnight to notch up wins over Jasmine Paolini and Flavio Cobolli respectively.

Muchová began against Paolini and after some lengthy tussles in the first few games, broke through the Italian's defence and never looked back on her way to a 6-2 6-2 win.

Muchová, who held a 4-0 head-to-head against the two-time Grand Slam singles finalist, saved all 10 break points she faced and hit 31 winners, as her all-court game left the favoured Paolini without answers.

"I think I was more focused today," said Muchová. "I was trying to get better than I did before… I think I played really great, and she didn't have that much space to lead a game. I think I didn't let her play her game.

"I had many chances, but I didn't take any," said Paolini. "It was a long match, but it was 6-2, 6-2… I think she played better than me [on] the important points. Even when she was down in the game, she was playing unbelievable."

Macháč then produced a spectacular performance against Cobolli to secure an astounding 6-1 6-2 win in 53 minutes, complete with the most breathtaking shotmaking.

The 24-year-old Czech was stepping into the baseline regularly and hit several exquisite jumping forehands in a masterclass of precision and style. While Cobolli was erratic, hitting 19 unforced errors in the match, Macháč did not give him any time to settle as he raced through the first set in 23 minutes before taking the early lead in the second and not giving Cobolli any look at a break point as he took out the match and the tie to send Czechia into the semi-finals.

"I enjoy the moment on the court, and today I was playing," said Macháč. "There [were] really no mistakes on my side. If there [were] any small mistakes, I just tried to repair it as soon as possible. I was playing really great today."

"He played better than me, of course, every point today, and I let him play good," admitted Cobolli. "I'm sad because we wanted to finish the competition [with] another result, but it's tennis."

Macháč and Muchová will line up tomorrow night for two exciting matches with Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff tomorrow night, before a potential blockbuster mixed doubles match if the tie remains deadlocked after the singles.

Czechia holds the advantage of having played all their previous matches in Sydney, whereas the Americans have travelled from Perth.

"We know it's a really tough opponent," said Muchová. "They are both amazing athletes. I think for us, the most important is to recover as quick as possible and just get ready for tomorrow."

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