TENNIS – POLAND exacted revenge for their loss to the United States in last year’s final, beating the defending champions in their last-four tie at the United Cup to set up a title clash with Switzerland, who beat Belgium in their semi-final yesterday.
Hubert Hurkacz stunned world number nine Taylor Fritz in the men’s singles to give Poland the lead, before Coco Gauff beat Iga Swiatek to level the tie. But Poland prevailed in the mixed doubles decider, where Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski beat Gauff and Christian Harrison.
Hurkacz, ranked 83rd in the world, avenged his loss to Fritz in last year’s final in a 7-6(1) 7-6(2) win, after taking the lead in both tiebreaks with well-placed backhand passing shots to beat his second top-10 ranked opponent this week.
World number four Gauff got the US back in the game, beating Swiatek 6-4 6-2, as the American’s powerful shots forced the world number two to stay near the baseline and make mistakes with her backhand returns.
Gauff, however, could not complete her team’s comeback, as Kawa and Zielinski won 7-6(5) 7-6(3) in the mixed doubles, ensuring Poland’s progress to Sunday’s final.
Belinda Bencic led Switzerland to their first United Cup final, beating Elise Mertens in the singles before returning alongside Jakub Paul to clinch a doubles win.
In the deciding mixed doubles match, the Swiss duo claimed a 6-3 0-6 10-5 win over Mertens and Zizou Bergs in an hour and 17 minutes.
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