Czech Republic powers past Italy to reach United Cup semis

SYDNEY, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Karolina Muchova dismantled world number four Jasmine Paolini in Sydney on Friday before Tomas Machac thrashed Flavio Cobolli as the Czech Republic stunned Italy to reach the semifinals of the mixed teams United Cup.

After taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the quarterfinals, Czechia will next play top seeds United States on Saturday.

Poland faces Kazakhstan in the other semifin