Karolina Muchova has put Czechia in the box seat for a spot in the United Cup semi-finals after defeating world No.4 Jasmine Paolini in straight sets.
World No.22 Muchova bounced back from a thrashing by Polish heavyweight Iga Swiatek in the group stage to upset the Italian 6-2 6-2 in one hour 43 minutes at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Tomas Machac can settle Friday’s quarter-final tie and set up a clash against the USA with one match to spare if he defeats Flavio Cobolli in the men’s singles rubber.
A defeat to Czechia will be a disappointing end to Italy’s campaign, after winning the past two Davis Cups and finishing runners-up two years ago to the US in the inaugural edition of the season-opening mixed teams’ event.
Paolini had been a formidable force for Italy during the tournament in world No.1 Jannik Sinner’s absence, only dropping four games in the group stage.
But the 2024 break-out star struggled to fire against Muchova, being broken twice in the opening set before also losing her first service game in the second.
The Czech star then staved off giving away a break point in the final game to storm home.
Muchova has had the upper hand over Paolini in all five meetings between them, having knocked the Italian out of the US Open in straight sets in their two WTA-level meetings before Friday.
She is slated to return to the court alongside Machac to face off against Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori in the mixed doubles match after the men’s singles.