Germany, U.S. claim opening wins at United Cup

SYDNEY, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- World No. 2 Alexander Zverev started his Australian Open preparation with a clinical victory on Sunday as defending champion Germany swept past Brazil in the United Cup.

Top-seeded United States, the Czech Republic and Italy were the other winners on Day 3 of the mixed team tennis tournament.

Zverev was in full control at Perth's RAC Arena and overwhelmed No. 109 Thiago Monteir