Germany and Italy, both realistic title contenders in the United Cup, will begin their campaigns on Sunday. Alexander Zverev and Germany face the Netherlands, while Italy will face Switzerland.
Alexander Zverev (GER) vs. Tallon Griekspoor (NED)
It is fitting that Zverev and Griekspoor will meet in their first match of the year on Sunday at the United Cup. The two arch-rivals faced each other four times this past season and have met a ridiculous eight times since 2024. Zverev leads the overall head-to-head series 8-2, although most of their matches have been interesting and Griekspoor at least managed to achieve a recent win in the Indian Wells Masters 2025 (in the final of the Indian Wells Masters).
It is the fourth time Zverev has played in the United Cup. The third-ranked German is 6-1 in his last seven singles matches at the event, losing only to Alex de Minaur in the 2024 semifinals. Zverev ended up beating Hurkacz in the final, with the Germans lifting the trophy. Griekspoor started last year in impressive form, but his second half has been a disaster. From Wimbledon to the end of the season, the 26th-ranked Dutchman lost his opening match in an unbelievable nine tournaments. A more confident Zverev should have the upper hand in Sydney.
Pick: Zverev at 2
Flavio Cobolli (ITA) vs. Stan Wawrinka (SUI)
The United Cup marks the beginning of the end for Wawrinka, who recently announced his retirement from tennis. This is Wawrinka’s last season on tour, and he can only hope that it is at least more successful than his first attempt. The 40-year-old Swiss has won just four ATP ranking matches in 2025 and finds himself as low as 157 in the rankings.
After a match with France’s Arthur Rinderknech on Saturday, Wawrinka will face the restless Cobolli. It’s a tough game for the veterans, as Cobolli wraps up his 2025 campaign in a dominant fashion. In the absence of Jannik Sinner, the 23-year-old helped Italy win a third straight Davis Cup title as he compiled a 3-0 record in the final. Cobolli should be in line for more success playing for his country at this mixed event in Perth.
Pick: Cobolli at 2
