Taylor Fritz was nearly untouchable on serve sealing the United States' United Cup semifinal return.

US Open finalist Fritz permitted just four points on serve sweeping Zhang Zhizhen 6-4, 6-4, to give the United States an insurmountable 2-0 lead over China at the United Cup in Perth.

Kyrgios: Biggest Serve By Far

"I've been serving well, but I think today just in general in the match I felt a lot more just, like, calm," Fritz told the media in Perth. "I was thinking more clearly in today's match than maybe the other one. Definitely felt a bit more kind of like, I don't know, kind of like myself.

"Definitely thought I played the best today."



World No. 4 Fritz's 79-minute conquest was his seventh career United Cup victory.

It came after Coco Gauff defeated Zhang Shuai 7-6(4), 6-2 to stake Team USA to a 1-0 lead.



WTA Finals champion Gauff said she's been powered by the positive support of her teammates.

"I'm having so much fun," Gauff said. "We have a great team, great vibes all around, and excited that we were able to move on to the next round of the tournament and hopefully all the way to the end."

The mixed doubles tandem of Rob Galloway and Desirae Krawczyk scored a 6-3, 6-7(1), 10-3 triumph to wrap the United States' 3-0 victory over China.

The 2023 United Cup champion Team USA travels to Sydney for the tournament semifinals where it will face either reigning Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup champion Italy or Czechia for a place in the final.

"I want to win all the time, so I wouldn't say it's more stakes or not," Gauff said. "Definitely a lot more relaxed on the changeovers, laughing a little bit more, you know, just talking. In general, things that we don't get when we're playing our regular tournament.

"Yeah, I think it's great to start the year off on this relaxed vibe, especially coming from offseason, which is pretty chill. Yeah, I think this is a good transition into our regular schedule."

Kazakhstan awaits either Poland or Great Britain in the other semifinal.