If one of the matches in the United Cup for Italy only comes to a mixed doubles match, then the Squadra Azzurra will have a clear advantage.
von Jens Huiber
last edited: December 31, 2025, 9:03 p.m
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Andrea Vavassori won the Davis Cup title for free in the 2025 season. Because after Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli won all their singles matches, Vavassori didn’t have to play at all in the doubles with partner Simone Bolelli in the final round in Bologna. The pair skating specialist still made headlines: At the US Open, alongside Sara Errani, he prevailed in the newly introduced mixed format against the competition made up of individual stars.
At the United Cup, Italy could now claim the third team competition after the Davis Cup and the Bilde Jean King Cup. That would be a first, especially since the mixed competition does not have a long tradition. Cobolli is at the start, as is Jasmine Paolini, who played a key role in winning the former Fed Cup. And if the score is 1-1 after the two singles, then the Italians would probably attack with Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani.
Does Zverev also play in mixed doubles?
Who could stand up to this double? According to paper form, it would probably be the Americans who have a strong pairing with Christian Harrison and Nicole Melichar-Martinze. Germany would have two Grand Slam champions, Kevin Krawietz and Laura Siegemund, as an option for the doubles. However, the last few years have shown that Alexander Zverev likes to take part in the decisive match.
The Dutch, who will compete against Germany in Sydney, should not be underestimated in the mixed doubles. Because Demi Schnurs and David Per also know exactly what is important in doubles. But the Italians can once again pull the super joker.
