United Cup
Baez clinches opening United Cup win for Argentina
Argentine earns victory on tournament debut
January 02, 2026
Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images
Sebastian Baez in action at the United Cup on Friday.
By ATP Staff
In the first match of the 2026 ATP Tour season, World No. 45 Sebastian Baez defeated Jaume Munar to give Argentina a 1-0 lead over Spain on Day 1 of the United Cup in Perth Friday.
Making his debut at the mixed teams event, the 24-year-old recorded a 6-4, 6-4 win against the Spaniard in one hour and 43 minutes in the Group A tie. With the victory, he improved to 2-0 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
“I really enjoyed this moment, enjoyed the time on court, so happy to [have] won this point for Argentina,” he said.
After both players traded breaks early in the first set, Baez gained control at 4-4 by breaking Munar and serving out the set in the following game. In the second set, the Argentine showed great composure again by breaking back, immediately after losing serve, for a 4-3 lead. He saved four of the six break points he faced in the match, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
“I am happy because I am recovering from some pain and some injuries from the past two years. So, of course, I want more. I know I have more. I have some confidence and I believe in my team and in my country,” Baez shared.
With the victory, the Argentine secured his first Top 50 win since defeating then-No. 46 Mariano Navone on his way to the title in Rio last February.