Team Poland is on the cusp of United Cup glory once again. The talented Polish squad punched their ticket to a second consecutive final at the international team event with a commanding 2-0 semifinal triumph over Kazakhstan on Saturday. World No. 2 Iga Swiatek and top-ranked Polish male Hubert Hurkacz delivered the knockout blows, winning their respective singles rubbers to propel Poland into Sunday’s championship showdown.
Swiatek Seals the Deal Against Rybakina
In the tie-clinching matchup, Iga Swiatek showcased her elite hard court prowess by overcoming Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 7-6(5), 6-4. The determined Pole outlasted her Kazakh opponent in a grueling two-hour encounter at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney. For Swiatek, who was on the losing end when Poland fell to Germany in last year’s final, Saturday’s victory marked a significant step towards redemption.
“I think this was the first time I was able to win against Elena on a faster surface,” an exhausted Swiatek said afterwards. “It means a lot. I didn’t start well, I felt like I was on the handbrake a bit. I knew I had to do something because this match could go both ways.”
The reigning French Open and US Open champion dug deep to edge a tense opening set in a tiebreak before finding another gear to pull away in the second. Swiatek’s never-say-die attitude was on full display as she willed herself to the finish line.
“I told myself that I’m not going to miss anymore, and I’m happy because it’s always tough against Elena.”
Hurkacz Lays the Groundwork
In the opening match, world No. 12 Hubert Hurkacz set the tone for Poland with a swift 6-3, 6-2 demolition of Alexander Shevchenko. The 6-foot-5 Pole needed less than an hour to dispatch his overmatched opponent and earn a pivotal first point for the Polish side.
Hurkacz took full advantage of the confidence gained from his win over Britain’s Billy Harris in the quarterfinals after a couple of rocky performances during the round-robin phase. The former Miami Open champion appears to be finding his top form at just the right time.
“The last match here gave me a little bit of confidence and I’ve been playing better with every single match,” Hurkacz said of his recent resurgence.
A Shot at Redemption
By ousting Kazakhstan, Poland set up a tantalizing final against the winner of the second semifinal between the United States and the Czech Republic. For the Poles, it presents an opportunity to go one step further than last year, when they suffered a heartbreaking loss to Germany in the 2024 title match.
- 2024 United Cup Final: Germany def. Poland
- 2025 United Cup Semifinal: Poland def. Kazakhstan 2-0
With Swiatek and Hurkacz leading the charge and the sting of last year’s defeat still fresh, Poland will surely be leaving it all on the court as they vie for their first United Cup crown. The mixed-gender event, which features both singles and doubles matches, provides a unique showcase for the WTA and ATP stars to join forces for national glory.
Primed for Australian Open Success?
Beyond the immediate goal of capturing the silver trophy, performances at the United Cup often set the tone for the Australian Open, which is just around the corner. A strong showing in Sydney could be the perfect springboard for Poland’s top players as they gear up for the year’s first Grand Slam event.
Iga Swiatek will be looking to translate her United Cup heroics into a breakthrough run at Melbourne Park. The 21-year-old has yet to progress beyond the semifinals in three main draw appearances at the Happy Slam.
| YEAR | RESULT |
| 2023 | Semifinals |
| 2024 | Quarterfinals |
For Hubert Hurkacz, who reached the quarterfinals last year, the United Cup could provide the impetus to finally crack the so-called final four in Melbourne. The big-serving Pole possesses the talent to go deep at the Australian Open if he can carry over this week’s momentum.
With national pride spurring them on and major silverware within touching distance, expect Swiatek, Hurkacz and the rest of the Polish contingent to lay it all on the line when they return to the United Cup championship stage on Sunday. The 18-team, three-week event may be a pre-cursor to the Australian Open, but for these patriotic stars, the United Cup crown is the only hardware that matters this weekend in Sydney.
