Title holders Germany had a winning start into the United Cup when they beat Brazil 3-0 in their opening group tie on Sunday in Perth.

Laura Siegemund opened with a hard-earned 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 against Beatriz Haddad Maia and Alexander Zverev clinched the tie before the concluding mixed doubles, 6-4, 6-4, over Thiago Monteiro.

Siegemund and Tim Pütz wrapped up matters 7-6 (10-8), 6-4 over Rafael Matos and Carolina Alves.

“I think this is the first time we’ve been up 2-0 in a tie. Last year we were playing a deciding match every single time so it’s nice to know that we’ve got this one in the bag already,” Zverev said.

Zverev broke early in each set to beat Monteiro in 1 hour 17 minutes, half the 2:33 hours Siegemund needed to prevail over Haddad Maia for the fourth time in five meetings.

She fought back from 3-1 down in the first set and got the deciding break in the third for 5-4.

“It’s the first match of the year against such a great player, it’s not easy. So I have to, out of the pocket, pull my best game basically, and I just tried to focus on that and stay cool in the [big] moments,” Siegemund said.

“Hopefully that’s giving me some confidence for the next matches.”

Zverev played singles and doubles at the last edition but this time around plans only singles, with ATP Finals doubles champion Pütz a more than adequate replacement.

Germany face China, who also won their first tie 3-0 against Brazil on Friday, in their other group match on Monday.

The six group winners and the two best runners-up advance to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open tune-up which is played in Perth and Sydney.