United Cup 2026: Great Britain defeat Japan to set up group decider against Greece

Great Britain moved one step closer to securing a place in the United Cup quarter-finals after beating Japan 2-1 in their first match of Group E.

Olivia Nicholls and Neal Skupski stepped up to complete the victory for Great Britain in the match tie-break of the deciding doubles rubber, after Billy Harris won the opening men’s singles match.

The Brits join Greece at the top of the group with both sides securing victories over the Japanese side.

Great Britain and Greece will play on Monday 5 January from 9:00 UK time. The winner of that match will be guaranteed a spot in the quarter-final, while the loser will have to hope for a place as one of the top performing runners-up.

“The spirit has been so good since we all got together in Perth,” said GB captain Tim Henman. “Their work ethic and comradery has been absolutely outstanding. I had two requests coming in, I wanted them to really got out there and enjoy the challenge and compete for every point. That’s exactly what they’ve done. I couldn’t be happier or prouder as a captain.”

Great Britain came into their tie with Japan knowing it was going to be a tough contest without British No.1 Emma Raducanu, who withdrew from her match with four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.

Despite missing their highest ranked singles player on the women’s side, Billy Harris got the team off to a flying start with a win over world No.99 Shintaro Mochizuki in the first match of the day.

Harris, who also represented Great Britain in the tournament last year, came back from 5-3 down in the first set to win 7-6(4), 6-3 in an hour and 50 minutes.

The 20-year-old Briton saved all three break points faced in the second set and took his one and only chance in the fourth game to clinch his first tour-level victory since Wimbledon last year.

“It was a great atmosphere, it got me through the match,” said Harris after his maiden victory  of the season. “Great to get the first win for the team. There were some shaky bits in there, but I managed to close it out there in the end, so I was happy with that."

Former Billie Jean King Cup star Katie Swan stepped up to face Osaka in the second rubber, putting up an impressive fight before losing 7-6(4), 6-1.

Swan was making her return to the United Cup after winning two singles rubbers for the Brits back in 2023. The call-up was a just reward for the 26-year-old who has climbed back up the rankings inside the world’s top 300 after a lengthy spell with injury.

The British star saved six break points on her opening three service games and went on to take a 5-3 lead in the first set.

However, once the former world No.1 broke back, she took control of the match, sealing the opening set tie-break and only dropping four points on serve in a dominant second set.

It was then over to experienced doubles duo Nicholls and Skupski who came through the tie deciding mixed doubles rubber against Nao Hibino and Yasutaka Uchiyama 7-5, 4-6, 10-7.

In the match tie-break, captain Henman played the coaches time out in a crucial moment at 7-6, which seemed to unnerve Hibino ahead of her next service.

Skupski hit a punishing forehand winner past Uchiyama and connected on a pivotal smash to clinch the double mini break and a 9-6 lead with three match points.

Hibino made a return winner thanks to a lucky net cord to save one of the match points, but Nicholls was on hand to put away the winning volley at the death and wrap up the win for GB.

“It was unbelievable,” said Nicholls. “We had amazing support from the crowd. We’ve had amazing team spirit this week, I’ve really enjoyed being part of this team. It’s incredible to get the win.”