Canada's tennis stars have kicked off the 2026 season in dominant fashion. The team, led by Félix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal and Toronto's Victoria Mboko, secured a commanding 3-0 clean sweep over China in their opening Group B tie at the United Cup in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Singles Success Sets the Stage
The Canadian victory was built on a foundation of strong singles performances. First, the 19-year-old Mboko, now ranked 18th in the world after a meteoric rise, showed her resilience. She battled back from a slow start to defeat China's Lin Zhu with a score of 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, completely overpowering her opponent in the final two sets.
Following her lead, world No. 5 Félix Auger-Aliassime delivered a controlled and efficient performance. The 25-year-old from Montreal dispatched China's Zhang Zhizhen in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. This marked a positive shift for Auger-Aliassime, as it was his first season-opening match victory since 2021.
Mixed Doubles Dominance Seals the Deal
With the team victory already secured, the Canadian duo teamed up for the mixed doubles rubber and left no doubt about their superiority. Auger-Aliassime and Mboko combined seamlessly to overwhelm the Chinese pair of Xiaodi You and Rigele Te. They claimed a decisive 6-1, 6-3 win, showcasing excellent chemistry and capping off a perfect day for Team Canada.
"I can be very pleased with this first match of the year," said a satisfied Auger-Aliassime after his singles win. "Tennis is about rhythm, playing important points under pressure, so you never know what to expect. I woke up this morning hoping for the best, and then I played some of my best tennis."
Carrying Momentum from a Stellar 2025
Both players are riding a wave of confidence from exceptional previous seasons. Auger-Aliassime ended 2025 on a high note, reaching the semifinals of the ATP Finals after a U.S. Open semifinal appearance and winning an ATP 250 title in Brussels.
Mboko's ascent has been nothing short of spectacular. She rocketed from outside the top 300 into the world's top 20 in 2025, a breakthrough year highlighted by a stunning WTA 1000 title at the National Bank Open in Montreal. She capped her year by winning the Hong Kong Open, entering 2026 on a five-match winning streak.
Canada's next challenge at the United Cup is a group play match against Belgium on Tuesday. The international mixed-team tournament, which features 18 countries, is set to conclude on January 11, 2026.
