United Cup: Muchova, Machac lead Czechia to semi-finals

The Czech team is through to the United Cup semi-finals for the first time

Gepa/Panoramic

January 3, 2025

Czechia are through to the semi-finals of the United Cup after Karolina Muchova and Tomas Machac both scored singles wins over their Italian counterparts on Friday evening.

World No 22 Muchova got the Czechs off to a perfect start with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 win over world No 4 Jasmine Paolini. This was the fifth win in as many matches for Muchova against her Italian rival.

“I really wanted to bring a point to the team so I was trying to stay focused,” Muchova said as quoted by the United Cup website. “Jasmine is an unbelievable player. It was a really tough match. I knew I had to go until the end. She had many break chances. I think I served well. I’m really happy I made it.”

Tomas Machac in Miami (Icon SMI/Panoramic)

In the second singles, Machac was equally impressive in a 6-1, 6-2 win over 22-year-old Flavio Cobolli to seal the quarter-final win for the Czechs.

“I think this is the highest level of tennis that I can play,” Machac said. “I’m really happy to play like this in such an important moment. I was surprised how I played great without any mistakes and I didn’t give him any opportunity to come back. I know I have this kind of level… when I saw how the match was going I just tried to be strong mentally for as long as possible. I was playing like Novak!”

This is the first semi-final for the Czechs in the United Cup and they will meet United States. Kazakshstan and Poland will clash in the other semi-final.