However, all of these nations must stay patient for now as they await their opening match in the event.
Spain v Argentina
The event kicks off with two Spanish speaking countries going at one another. In Perth, Spain and Argentina will look to kick off their group phase with a win in Group A. With only three teams in the group and two sets of fixtures, neither of these teams want to be on the backfoot heading into the second and final matchup. First will guarantee qualification, with second possibly getting you through.
The tournament kicks off with the world number 33 and Davis Cup finalist Jaume Munar come toe-to-toe against the world number 45 Sebastian Baez. Munar felt the full heartache of just losing out for his country in a high stakes match against Cobolli. After keeping his nation in the tournament with a key win over Jiri Lehecka, he had to repeat the same fate. Despite a lightning start, he was pegged back and broken late on, succumbing to the overwhelming pressure.
This experience will be vital for him. It could give him the extra advantage over Baez, who represents Argentina on their return to the event. A poor end to the prior campaign leaves him on a barren streak of results. He will be hoping to turn this around. They both have a win each in their prior meetings, with this one the most important.
Following this is the women’s match. Jessica Bouzas Maneiro will take on Solana Sierra. The Spaniard is the world number 41, a number she will be looking to improve upon after reaching a career-high of 40 in the world back in August.
Sierra is also a player on the rise. The Argentine is currently ranked 66 in the world and is in form, winning a couple of lower titles before calling an end to her 2025 season. The highlight has to be an incredible fourth round run at Wimbledon, defeating some big names along the way. Their one and only meeting went the way of Bouzas Maneiro in an ITF tournament. This match could be crucial, with the USA also in their group. A mixed doubles matchup will be followed if the scores are level.
Spain v Argentina – 2 January 2026
| Jaume Munar | v | Sebastian Baez |
| Jessica Bouzas Maneiro | v | Solana Sierra |
| TBC | v | TBC |
Greece v Japan
Now onto Group E where Japan and Greece are set to lock horns in Great Britain’s group. Boosted by the Draper news, the two nations will be determined more than ever to get off on the front foot.
This is not the case for Sakkari, with the former world number three now outside the top 50. Injuries and early round exits have compounded her to a fall from grace. However, she can still get the best out of herself when representing her country against a very talented opponent. They have met five times, with Osaka boasting the slight advantage with three wins, although their last match came back in 2021.
Greece v Japan – 2 January 2026
| Maria Sakkari | v | Naomi Osaka |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas | v | Shintaro Mochizuki |
| TBC | v | TBC |