Goff, Harrison lead U.S. team to comeback victory over Argentina in Confederations Cup – Tennis Now

By Richard Pagliaro Saturday, January 3, 2026
Image source: Manchester United Cup Facebook

Coco Gough Started her 2026 season with a determined comeback.

Gauff, ranked third in the world, was crushed solanasera Singles 6-1, 6-1.

Then, Goff cooperates Christian Harrison Win decisive mixed doubles victory Maria Lourdes Carr and Guido Andreozzi The U.S. beat Argentina 2-1 in a Fed Cup match in Perth, 6-4, 6-1.

“I think the synergy and chemistry between Christian and Coco is really good,” U.S. captain Michael Russell said. “The first game, they brought a lot of energy.

“I think it’s very important to have a decisive game. You can see they react well and play aggressively in key moments. You know, it’s really nice to see.”

Harrison, who has had his hair cut in preparation for his Manchester United Cup debut, said he didn’t feel nervous about playing alongside Floridian Goff.

“Honestly, it’s awesome. I mean, it’s fun to be in a fair environment and have a bunch of guys sit on the bench and get good support and then enjoy the game,” Harrison said. “Honestly, I didn’t think too much about it because I was just having fun. For me, I just told myself that’s why I still practice so hard, just because I love playing.

“So I feel like mentally I’m ready to compete. And then I have a great team that makes it easy
Just playing tennis. “

Sebastian Baez Opening this tie is upsetting Taylor Fritz 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, Argentina leads 1-0.

It was Baez’s second win in singles, following Friday’s sweep of Spain’s Jaume Munar.

With the defending champion United States trailing 1-0, Goff stepped up and scored a convincing victory in 57 minutes.

This is the sixth time Gauff has won the Fed Cup in straight sets.

“I’m really happy,” Goff said. “It’s a little bit stressful. Last year, I was so used to starting first, so it was a little difficult.”

“I’m very happy with my performance today and I hope I can continue this performance in the next game.”

The fiery Baez relies on his spin and speed on the field to ease pressure on Fritz, who said there’s “definitely a lot of rust” in his 2026 debut.

“I felt like he raised his level, especially in the third set, but sometimes in the second set as well,” Fritz said of Baez. “I don’t think either of us played at a super high level in the first set. You know,
We both made a lot of mistakes.

“I ended up winning the first set because I put the ball on the court and he made mistakes. He started to make fewer mistakes mentally, was very consistent, but also able to give orders and be able to attack.

“For me, it was like the ball was really flying around me. When I was trying to attack, I felt like I didn’t have the control that I wanted. I couldn’t really do what I wanted to do. And then I had a couple games where I was serving poorly. He was playing really well.”

Baez sealed the victory with a dynamic shot on match point.

Facing a must-win game, Gauff exploded to a 4-0 lead in both sets and controlled the game from start to finish.

Gauff quickly hit a shot and shoveled a forehand winner into the corner. Sierra made a forehand error and Gauff broke serve again, 4-0.

After 23 minutes of play, the world No. 3 broke serve with a love hold to take a 5-0 lead.

In the service game, Gauff started the seventh game with consecutive double faults. Then she calmed down and blocked a backhand volley for the set point. After 30 minutes, Gauff made a mistake and took a one-set lead.

In the first set, Gauff hit seven backhand winners with both hands, six more than Serra.

Gauff held serve for the second time in a row and led 2-0 in the second set.

Gauff continued to control the serve and once again secured serve, extending the lead to 4-0.

Despite Serra’s powerful forehand, Gauff repelled the shot, forcing the Argentinian to hit the ball on the run. In the 53rd minute, Gauff hit a short-angle slice, triggering a running forehand error and leading 5-0.

The American No. 1’s only mistake came on her serve. Gauff lost serve in his lover’s serve, but broke again in the 15th game and swept his opponent 6-1, 6-1 in just 58 minutes.

“It’s really exciting,” Goff said. “I feel like I can play better as well, which is more exciting. It’s always difficult to start the first game of the season, especially with someone as talented as her, who played yesterday. But I’m really happy with how I managed those emotions.”

After a short break, Goff returned to the court and Harrison tied the match in the mixed doubles.

Goff and Harrison showed quick hands in front of the net, blocking a series of reflex volleys to break Carr’s lead and go up 2-1.

With the score tied, Goff slid a serve down the T, allowing Harrison to swoop in for a smash, cementing the break point at 3-1.

Gauff led 5-2 at the start, but Argentina broke serve and narrowed the gap to 4-5.

Starting from love-30, Harrison served continuously and showed an Ace, locking the first set in 37 minutes.

The United States took control of the second set and sealed the victory 2-1 in 62 minutes.