The 2026 tennis season begins on Friday, January 2 at the United Cup in Perth. Spain, Argentina, Greece, and Japan take to the court on Day 1, with Jaume Munar and Stefanos Tsitsipas among those still in action.
Jaume Munar (ESP) vs. Sebastian Baez (ARG)
Munnar and Baez will clash for the third time in their careers when Spain and Argentina clash in the United Cup on Friday. They split their previous two encounters; Munar advanced by retiring for the third time in 2021 in Buenos Aires before Baez won 6-4, 6-4 in another Golden Swing meeting – 2024 in Santiago.
Based on how 2025 plays out, Manar should once again have the upper hand in this matchup. The 28-year-old Spaniard rose to world number 33, putting himself in a good position to lose at the Australian Open. He ended the last season playing for his country, he recorded a record 1-2 in the final of the Davis Cup but he played very well in all three of his rubbers. Baez, on the other hand, dropped to a 17-24 record last year and his game has never worked on any surface other than clay.
Pick: Munar at 2
Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs. Shintaro Mochizuki (JPN)
Tsitsipas hopes to emerge again in the tough 2025 campaign. The 27-year-old Greek is currently 36th in the rankings, so he will not be ruled out of Melbourne Park. Tsitsipas finished his season in September, but at least that means he is well rested and injury free in 2026. He has plenty of experience playing for his nation in the United Cup, having compiled a 6-2 career singles record.
Tsitsipas’s lead on Friday is Mochizuki, whom he has never faced. The 22-year-old Japanese player was an outstanding young player, but his transition to the pro Tour has been difficult. Mochizuki has won a career-best seven tour matches and is ranked No. 99 in the world. The pressure to compete against his country will be huge, and he has no United Cup experience. Although Tsitsipas does not inspire confidence these days, he should have an edge.
Pick: Tsitsipas at 2
