Top 5 Photos, 1/6: Serena & Wozniacki win team debut

By Jordaan SanfordPublished January 06, 2020

Best friends shared the same side of the net, while the ATP Cup saw its second team qualify for the knockout stage. These are the Top 5 photos from Monday's action. (All photos by Getty Images)

Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki kicked off their 2020 season with a special opening-round win in Auckland. The close friends teamed up for the first time and posted a 6-2, 6-4 victory against Nao Hibino and Makoto Ninomiya. "I can’t let the rest of both of our amazing careers go without playing with her," said Serena. Wozniacki is set to retire following the Australian Open.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 06: Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and doubles partner Serena Williams of USA discuss tactics in their first round doubles match against Nao Hibino of Japan and Makoto Ninomiya of Japan during day one of the 2020 ASB Classic at ASB Tennis Centre on January 06, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Dominic Thiem boosted Team Austria to a 3-0 triumph over the Argentines. The world No. 4 dismissed 2019 US Open quarterfinalist Diego Schwartzman in straight sets to seal the victory. After starting his season with a loss to Borna Coric, Thiem stated, "I'm really happy with the improvement from Saturday to today."

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 06: Dominic Thiem of Austria plays a forehand during his Group E singles match against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina during day four of the 2020 ATP Cup Group Stage at Ken Rosewall Arena on January 06, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Team Serbia became the second squad to secure their spot in the final eight after inching past France. Novak Djokovic ousted Gael Monfils, 6-3, 6-2, to move to 16-0 in their head-to-head series. Djokovic then joined forces with Viktor Troicki to topple last year's Wimbledon finalists Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin, 6-3, 6-7 (5), [10-3], to clinch the 2-1 victory.

Team Serbia celebrate their victory in the men's doubles match on day four of the ATP Cup tennis between France and Serbia in Brisbane on January 06, 2020. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP /AFP via Getty Images) — © AFP /AFP via Getty Images

In just over an hour, Coco Gauff dispatched Viktoria Kuzmova, 6-3, 6-1, to advance in Auckland. The Linz champion rolled past the world No. 61 Kuzmova by using her consistency and precise ball movement. The 15-year-old will either face Alison Van Uytvanck or Laura Siegemund for a spot in the quarterfinals, where she could potentially meet Serena Williams.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 06: Cori Gauff of USA receives advice from her father and coach Corey Gauff during her first round match against Viktoria Kuzmova of Slovakia during day one of the 2020 ASB Classic at ASB Tennis Centre on January 06, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

After practicing together over the weekend in Doha, Stan Wawrinka and Frances Tiafoe maintained their cheerful mood in their 6-3 7-6 (6) win against Alexander Bublik and Andrey Rublev. The tandem will next challenge No. 3 seeds Wesley Koolhof and Rohan Bopanna for a spot in the semifinals. 

The USA's Frances Tiafoe (L) and Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka (R) react during their ATP Qatar Open men's doubles tennis match against Kazakhstan's Alexader Bublik and Russia's Andrey Rublev in Doha, on January 6, 2020. (Photo by Mustafa ABUMUNES / AFP) (Photo by MUSTAFA ABUMUNES/AFP via Getty Images) — © AFP via Getty Images