Zhang Zhizhen and Zheng Qinwen, China's highest-ranked men's and women's players, will face the formidable challenge of a Novak Djokovic-led Serbia in the upcoming United Cup starting on Dec. 29.

Zhang Zhizhen hits a return during the men's singles first round match between Zhang Zhizhen of China and Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Presented by the ATP, WTA and Tennis Australia, the second edition of the mixed team event, held in Sydney and Perth, launches the 2024 international tennis season ahead of the Australian Open, which is annually the first grand slam on the calendar.

The main focus from the Perth block of matches will be on the irrepressible Djokovic, who will start his preparations for a record-extending 11th Australian Open. The world's top-ranked men's player is set to face Zhang on Dec. 31 at the 15,000-seat RAC Arena to highlight an intriguing tie between Serbia and China.

Fast-rising Zhang is now ranked 58th in the world, and he partners with No.15 Zheng, as China also faces a tough Czech team led by newly-crowned Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in Group E.

"You know the first time I heard we will play against Serbia (in Group E), that was a shock for me. (I thought) no way! I haven't had a chance to play against Novak Djokovic - I'm super happy, honestly, to play against Serbia," an excited Zhang said, with Serbia also boasting men's players Hamad Medjedovic and Nikola Cacic.

Zheng and Zhang shot up the rankings this year with impressive on-court performances and hopes are high that they can fuel China on a strong run in the rebranded tournament.

After capturing her first WTA title in the Palermo Ladies Open, the 21-year-old Zheng went up a level with a strong US Open quarterfinal run.

Nicknamed "Queen Wen", Zheng bagged a singles gold at the 2023 Asian Games before reaching the final of the Huafa Technology WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai. She finished the season ranked inside the top 20 and was awarded "Most Improved Player of the Year" by the WTA.

Zhang also had a sensational season by making history for Chinese men's tennis. The 27-year-old in May became the first man from the Chinese mainland to reach the quarterfinals of the ATP 1000 tournament at the Madrid Open.

In July, Zhang rose to No. 52 in the world rankings, the highest position ever held by a Chinese mainland male player. During a spectacular performance at the US Open, Zhang was also the first Chinese mainland male player to defeat a top-five opponent.

He can start the new season with a statement and is also tasked with playing 22-year-old Czech Jiri Lehecka, who stunned Germany's Alexander Zverev at the inaugural United Cup and charged to the Australian Open quarterfinals as a dark horse.

For Zheng, she will go head-to-head against Marketa Vondrousova, who lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish in July and has become entrenched in the top 10 of the rankings ever since. Zheng will be deemed a strong favorite when she plays lower-ranked Olga Danilovic of Serbia.

The second edition of the United Cup has taken on a new look. Each tie features three matches involving men's singles, women's singles and mixed doubles.

The 18 teams are drawn into six groups in a round-robin format with the six group winners and two best-performing runners-up securing their place into the quarter-finals.

The event's top seeds Poland and titleholders the United States also will feature in Perth.

Reclaiming her world No.1 ranking from Aryna Sabalenka in November, Iga Swiatek finished the season with six singles titles, including her third French Open trophy, and won 68 out of 79 matches. She will partner Shanghai Masters title winner Hubert Hurkacz as Poland looms as a frightening proposition to Group A opponents Spain and Brazil.

But without legendary Rafael Nadal and No.2 ranked Carlos Alcaraz, Spain is short of firepower and might struggle to seriously contend.

There will be particular interest in Beatriz Haddad Maia, the first Brazilian woman to make a Roland Garros semifinal in the Open Era, and she will have an opportunity for redemption after losing 6-2, 7-6 (7) to Swiatek on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

In Group C, the United States headlined by Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula will embark on their title defence by squaring off against Britain and Australia. All three teams boast a slew of their top players.

During the first United Cup, Pegula only had one women's singles defeat and her relentless 6-2, 6-2 semifinal trouncing shocked a teary-eyed Swiatek, while Britain's Cameron Norrie proved unstoppable in men's singles by beating Fritz, Alex de Minaur, and, most notably, Nadal.

In Sydney, No.2 seed Greece studded with Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari is placed in Group B, where Canada will also make its United Cup debut with Felix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez.

Chile will rely on Nicolas Jarry, whose rankings in men's single rocketed from 155 to 19. The 28-year-old Chilean has a terrific record against Tsitsipas with three wins from five matches in the 2023 season, which adds intrigue to their upcoming clash on Jan. 2.

Former world No. 1 and three-time major champion Angelique Kerber of Germany will return following maternity leave and partners with Zverev against France and Italy in Group D.

Some big-name players, such as Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, are absent from Italy, who are likely to face an uphill battle for a berth in the final eight.

Croatia, Netherlands and Norway will encounter in Group F. A few months after Coric and Vekic helped Croatia win the Hopman Cup, they will reunite at Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena eyeing for better results. During the first United Cup, Croatia didn't make it through to the semifinals after a 3-2 narrow loss to Greece. 

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