Cameron Norrie of Britain plays a shot during his match against Alex de Minaur of Australia during the United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Dec 29, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

PERTH - World No 18 Cameron Norrie got his season off to a winning start to lead Britain over host Australia, while Spain edged Brazil on Friday as the mixed teams United Cup began in Perth.

The second edition of the United Cup effectively launched the 2024 season and involves 18 mixed teams.

Men's and women's singles matches are played ahead of mixed doubles in the same format used by the highly popular Hopman Cup that was previously played in Perth for over three decades.

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In an intriguing match-up between similarly-ranked players, Norrie survived a second set stutter to outlast No 12 Alex De Minaur with a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(2) victory and silence a near capacity crowd at the 15,000-seat RAC Arena.

After losing the first set, De Minaur broke in the sixth game of the second set after his backhand down the line forced Norrie into error. He then stepped up the attack by holding serve with an ace to gain a 5-2 lead.

De Minaur was on a roll and he drew level with a forehand winner to clinch the second set. The deciding set was tense with both players serving well leading to an inevitable tiebreak to determine the match.

There has been a lot of attention on 27-year-old Haddad Maia and she didn't disappoint in a rematch against Sorribes Tormo since their near four-hour classic at the French Open, which was the longest match on the WTA tour in 2023

Norrie lifted his intensity and dominated the tiebreak with a flustered De Minaur double-faulting to end a gripping contest that lasted two hours and 20 minutes.

"I had to dig deep and play very brave”, Norrie said. "I couldn't match his level (in the second set). I knew I had to run a lot today...and I did. I served well today and it's good to start with the win".

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Katie Boulter clinched the Group C tie for Britain with a convincing 6-2, 6-4 victory over Ajla Tomljanovic in the women's singles.

Earlier, Spain launched the tournament with a tough 2-1 victory over Brazil in Group A action. Without legendary Rafael Nadal and world No 2 Carlos Alcaraz, Spain was unfancied heading into the event.

But No 26 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina started Spain's campaign impressively with a comprehensive 6-4, 6-0 victory over Thiago Seyboth Wild, who is ranked No 79.

In a much-anticipated women's singles match, Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia leveled the tie after beating Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-6(1), 6-2.

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There has been a lot of attention on 27-year-old Haddad Maia and she didn't disappoint in a rematch against Sorribes Tormo since their near four-hour classic at the French Open, which was the longest match on the WTA tour in 2023.

Haddad Maia was in spectacular form to run away with a clinical straight-sets victory.

Partnering with Marcelo Melo, she could not get Brazil over the line in the decisive mixed doubles with Spain prevailing 6-4, 7-5 in an ominous statement.

"I knew I had to be calm near the end...in doubles things can change very quickly”, said Davidovich Fokina, who played alongside Sorribes Tormo.

Day two will see action start in Sydney with the Netherlands playing Norway, while Italy faces Germany.