Brazil has continued its battering of Norway.

Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos beat the Norwegians in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 in a tight contest.

That’s two tight losses today for Ulrikke Eikeri who was paired with Viktor Durasovic in that mixed doubles match.

It’s 4-1 all told for Brazil.

Boy, that’s about as convincing as they come.

Bulgaria’s Dimitar Kuzmanov beats Belgian rival Zizou Bergs in straight sets 6-2, 6-0.

The match was punctuated by an epic point in the second set that got the commentators and crowd up and about.

”Well, it is a dangerous play, isn’t it, to drop shot on the hard court but it was a pretty good attempt,” said John Fitzgerald.

“This man just too quick. He had to start a long way back. He’s a long way behind the baseline there.”

Rob Koenig hailed the “athleticism and artistry” attached to the shot.

That makes it 2-2 between the two nations.

There are two other matches on at the moment across Brisbane and Perth.

Belgium’s Zizou Bergs has gone down to Bulgaria’s Dimitar Kuzmanov in the first set, 6-2.

In the other match, it’s proving to be a tight contest between Brazil and Norway. The South Americans took the first set 6-4 courtesy of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos.

Fresh off her loss to Laura Pigossi, Ulrikke Eikeri is joined by Viktor Durasovic in the mixed doubles for Norway.

Gee, what a way to do it.

After all the momentum was with the Czech Republic, Germany level the second set at 6-6 before going to a tiebreaker.

Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund take the second set, albeit not without a scare. They win it 6-4, 7-6 all told.

So, that’s it for the Czech Republic. Germany, however, continue against the USA on January 2.

The highlight of day five will see Zverev face Taylor Fritz.

What a fightback this has been from the Czech Republic.

It’s four straight unanswered games and they’re one away from winning the second set.

They lead 6-5. 

After his upset United Cup loss to Jiri Lehecka, Germany’s Alexander Zverev has joined Laura Siegemund in mixed doubles.

Zverev and Siegemund took the first set over Lehecka and his Czech teammate Marie Bouzkova, 6-4.

In the end, Elise Mertens cruises through the third set to beat her Bulgarian opponent Gergana Topalova.

The Belgian wins 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 in Perth.

“A bit of a scare for Elise Mertens but she gets through in three sets to start her 2023 campaign,” says Peter Marcato.

“An important match win for Belgium, puts them in front in this tie.

“Gergana Topalova a great performance from her, being a late call-up, but in the end, the experience of Mertens showing, getting it done 6-0 in the third.”

Across to Perth now, it’s one set apiece between Elise Mertens and Gergana Topalova.

Mertens took the first set for Belgium but the Bulgarian bounced back in the second.

Jelena Dokic is backing Mertens to get it done.

Speaking on the win predictor being firmly in Mertens’ favour, Dokic said, “That comes down to that ranking and more so the experience that you would still in this match go with Mertens in the third set.”