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AAP
AAP
Darren Walton

Brazil, Chile complete line-up for United Cup tennis

Brazil and Chile have qualified for the season-opening United Cup, completing the 18-nation line-up for the mixed teams' tennis event in Sydney and Perth.

Brazil qualified on the strength of their top WTA player Beatriz Haddad Maia, the world No.11 who closed her 2023 season on a high note with victory at the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai.

Haddad Maia cracked the top 10 in June shortly after the French Open, where she enjoyed her best grand slam result with a run to the semi-finals. 

She will be joined by teammates Marcelo Melo, Thiago Seyboth Wild, Felipe Meligeni Alves and Carolina Alves.

Team Brazil have landed in Group A - headed by No.1 seeds Poland - and will play their matches at RAC Arena in Perth.

This sets up a showdown between Haddad Maia and world No.1 Iga Swiatek, a rematch of their Roland Garros semi-final.

 "I'm happy to be able to participate in the United Cup once again," Haddad Maia said.

"It's a special competition and it will be a pleasure to play in Perth again after a few years. I'm excited and motivated to play and learn with the Brazilian team during the week."

Brazil will be making their second appearance at the United Cup after exiting in the group stages of the inaugural 2023 event.

Chile qualified thanks to Nicolas Jarry, the 28-year-old who enjoyed a career-best season on tour and soared into the world's top 20.

Jarry won ATP titles in Santiago and Geneva before reaching the fourth round at Roland Garros, performances which helped push him to a career-high ranking of 19th this month.

He headlines a Chilean squad also featuring Tomas Barrios Vera, Alejandro Tabilo, Daniela Seguel and Fernanda Labrana. 

Making their United Cup debut, Team Chile will play matches at Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena as part of Group B, a strong group also containing second seeds Greece and Canada.

The Australian team of Alex de Minaur, John Millman, Matt Ebden, Ajla Tomljanovic, Ellen Perez and new women's doubles world No.1 Storm Hunter feature in Group C in Perth alongside Great Britain and defending champions USA.

The competition runs from December 29 to January 7.

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