Translation of the article content into English:
The 2025 United Cup mixed team tennis tournament has reached its final round of group matches. The Chinese team, consisting of Zhang Zhizhen, Zhang Shuai, Sun Fajing, Gao Xinyu, and Bai Yan, failed to pull off an upset, losing 1-2 to the reigning champions Germany. With a record of one win and one loss, they secured second place in their group, ensuring their spot in the quarter-finals. Additionally, both the German team and the Kazakh team have locked in first place in their respective groups, securing direct qualification.
The United Cup features a total of 18 teams divided into six groups. The top team from each group qualifies directly, along with the two best-performing second-place teams advancing to the quarter-finals.
In their first match, the Chinese team defeated Brazil 3-0, with Gao Xinyu achieving a remarkable comeback victory over world No. 17, Maya, after battling for over three hours.
In their second match, the Chinese team faced the defending champions, Germany, who had also defeated Brazil 3-0. This meant that the winner would secure first place in the group.
In the first men's singles match, Zhang Zhizhen was reversed by Zverev; in the second women's singles match, Gao Xinyu narrowly defeated Siegemund, helping the Chinese team secure early qualification for the quarter-finals for the second consecutive year after winning the first set 6-1; in the third mixed doubles match, Zhang Zhizhen and Zhang Shuai lost to the Siegemund/Zverev pair.
Ultimately, the Chinese team lost 1-2 overall, securing second place in the group, while the German team secured first place. Both teams advanced to the quarter-finals together. In addition, Group C also completed all their matches, with the Kazakh team led by Rybakina securing first place with two consecutive victories.
Apart from the three teams that have qualified for the quarter-finals, three other teams have been eliminated early, including Brazil from the same group as China, Spain from Group C, and Norway from Group B, all of whom suffered two consecutive losses.
There are still five quarter-final spots to be determined, which will be decided on December 31st. Two of the matchups include the United States against Croatia and Italy against France, with players such as Paulini, Gauff, Vekic, Fritz, and Vasselin participating.
If the United States secures first place in their group, they will face China in the quarter-finals. At that time, Gao Xinyu will directly face Gauff, providing another excellent opportunity for self-improvement.
Last year in the United Cup, the Chinese team led by Zheng Qinwen lost 0-3 to Poland in the quarter-finals, missing out on their first chance to advance to the semi-finals.