Spain stunned the defending champions in Perth as Jessica Bouzas Maneiro toppled Coco Gauff on Monday.
Bouzas Maneiro carried momentum from a breakout 2025 into the United Cup, producing a shock win that gives Spain an early 1-0 lead and forces the U.S. team to respond in the men’s singles later that day.
Bouzas Maneiro’s Breakthrough
“I know Coco and she’s a fighter,”
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Bouzas Maneiro set the tone early, breaking Gauff in the opening game and roaring to a 5-0 lead in the first set, ultimately breaking the American in all four of her service games during that set and nine times overall.
The Spaniard, ranked No. 42, upset World No. 4 Gauff with a dramatic scoreline of 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-0, marking Bouzas Maneiro’s first career Top-5 victory and delivering Spain the crucial opening point in Group A.
Gauff struggled to find her range, landing about 60% of first serves and winning just under 60% of those points, while unforced errors and service miscues piled up, including 14 double faults and a season-warping 54 unforced errors.
Bouzas Maneiro could only match Gauff’s first-serve numbers but managed mistakes better, making 41 unforced errors and converting 9 of 12 break points, with an aggressive forehand that produced 11 winners across the match.
Despite the one-sided opening, Gauff rallied from 4-1 down to steal the second set in a tiebreak and looked poised for a comeback, but Bouzas broke to begin the decider and surged to a commanding 4-0 lead after saving two break points in a marathon five-deuce game.
After 2 hours and 12 minutes of intense tennis, Bouzas Maneiro closed out the contest with a third-set bagel, a measure of redemption after a recent deciding-set loss earlier in the week and indisputably the biggest win of her young career.
Gauff’s Comments And The Fan Angle
Gauff arrived at RAC Arena with an off-court distraction after posting to social media to clarify earlier remarks, opening her pre-match note with a line many picked up: “I‘m going to clarify because people are dragging this out of context,” which drew attention before the ball was even struck.
She expanded on that thought in the post, writing, “I was just speaking from my perspective. I understand the financial aspect of things and know tennis is not accessible for everyone, it was more of a comment for those who are already attending and how I wish they were as passionate as those from other countries.”
Bouzas Maneiro acknowledged the crowd afterward as well, thanking fans for visible support: “Thank you for the atmosphere. It was amazing,” she said in an on-court TV interview, noting Spanish flags and a boost from local supporters in Perth.
Beyond the headlines about fans, the result also underlined Bouzas Maneiro’s rise; she arrives at the event off a 2025 that included a career-high ranking of No. 40, a Grand Slam fourth round at Wimbledon and her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal in Montreal.
What Comes Next
The tie now shifts to the men’s singles match where Taylor Fritz meets Jaume Munar, and the Americans will look to respond after seeing a strong singles streak by Gauff in the event come to an unexpected halt against a confident Spaniard.
Before Monday, Gauff had been unbeaten at the United Cup with a combined 9-0 record overall and a perfect 6-0 mark in singles at the event, a run that makes this loss both surprising and significant for the U.S. team.
For Spain, the result provides a jolt of momentum and a reminder that form and focus can swing a tie quickly, while the Gauff episode will likely keep the conversation about fan support simmering through the week.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
