Coco Gauff’s 2026 United Cup run ended earlier than Team USA hoped, but one match still stood out enough to spark wider conversation across the tennis world. After Gauff defeated Iga Świątek yet again, her former coach, Brad Gilbert, took to social media to put the result into sharp perspective, highlighting just how dramatically the matchup has shifted in Gauff’s favor and why the moment mattered even in defeat for the Americans.
Brad Gilbert Breaks Down Coco Gauff’s Dramatic Shift in the Rivalry With Iga Świątek
Gilbert captured the significance of that moment in his X post, writing, “Good win for Coco [Gauff], taking out Iga [Świątek] for the fourth consecutive time, eight sets on the trot, all of them 6-4 or less.”
He then zoomed out to emphasize how dramatic the shift has been, adding, “Pretty amazing after being down 4-11 in the head-to-head; she’s completely flipped that around. Unfortunately, the USA was not able to defend their title down under, as [Taylor] Fritz lost to [Hubert] Hurkacz. Hurkacz is playing good ball. Unfortunately, Taylor went 1-3 across four matches, and that’s the first time Coco has lost the mixed doubles.”
morning pic.twitter.com/Ilzgk7A2kU
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) January 10, 2026
Reacting to Gilbert’s post, a user commented, “What is the biggest take away from Coco flipping the table on Iga?” Gilbert then reiterated his point, writing, “playing with more belief obviously now vs Iga, she seems to be able to break down her fearhand. probably the biggest things not feeling the need to press early in points.”
playing with more belief obviously now vs Iga, she seems to be able to break down her fearhand. probably the biggest things not feeling the need to press early in points
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) January 10, 2026
What Challenges and Turning Points Defined Team USA’s 2026 United Cup Campaign?
Team USA launched its 2026 United Cup journey in Group A in Perth, grouped with Spain and Argentina. Entering the competition as reigning champions, the Americans were spearheaded by Gauff and Taylor Fritz, with Christian Harrison playing a key role in the mixed doubles lineup.
Their opening clash against Argentina proved far from straightforward. The tie was level after the men’s singles, where Fritz narrowly fell to Sebastián Báez in a three-set battle, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4. Gauff quickly steadied the ship in the women’s singles, dominating Solana Sierra 6-1, 6-1 to draw the teams even. With everything on the line, Gauff and Harrison delivered in mixed doubles, defeating María Lourdes Carlé and Guido Andreozzi in straight sets to seal a 2-1 win for the United States.
The Americans were tested again in their next tie against Spain. Gauff stumbled in the women’s singles, going down in three sets to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Fritz responded under pressure, grinding out a three-set victory over Jaume Munar, 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(6), to keep the tie alive.
MORE: Iga Świątek Reveals Her True Feelings After Coco Gauff Bags 4th Consecutive Win Against Her
For the second consecutive matchup, the result hinged on mixed doubles. Once more, Gauff and Harrison rose to the occasion, winning in straight sets against Yvonne Cavallé Reimers and Íñigo Cervantes to secure another 2-1 triumph and top Group A.
In the quarterfinals, Team USA faced Greece and again needed to win at least two matches to progress. Gauff gave the Americans an early advantage with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Maria Sakkari. Fritz was then beaten by Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-4, 7-5, pushing the tie to mixed doubles. In a high-pressure finish, Gauff and Harrison regrouped to win 4-6, 6-4, before edging the match tiebreak 10-8 to clinch the quarterfinal 2-1.
The United States advanced to the semifinals to face Group F winners Poland. Fritz opened the tie with a narrow straight-sets loss to Hubert Hurkacz, 6-7(1), 6-7(2). Gauff responded by leveling the contest, defeating Iga Świątek 6-4, 6-2 in the women’s singles. The semifinal ultimately came down to doubles, where Gauff and Harrison were edged out in straight sets, 6-7(5), 6-7(3), by Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zieliński, bringing Team USA’s United Cup run to an end.
