Poland secured its spot in the final of the 2023 United Cup after delivering a dominant performance against Kazakhstan on Saturday at Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena. The Polish team, ranked second, reached the final for the second consecutive year, determined to clinch the title this time after narrowly missing out last year. The match showcased two of Poland's top stars, Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz, both of whom emerged victorious, sealing the tie 3-0.
Swiatek, the World No. 2, faced reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and fought through adversity. She initially struggled, trailing at 5-3 before rallying to take the first set after a gritty tiebreaker, eventually winning 7-6(5), 6-4. Swiatek remarked on her victory, saying, “I think this was the first time I was able to win against Elena on a faster surface. It means a lot. I didn’t start well; I felt like I was on the handbrake a bit.” Her ability to shift momentum was pivotal, showcasing her resilience as she adjusted her play strategy during the intense match.
Earlier, Hurkacz put Poland on the path to victory with his commanding win over Alexander Shevchenko, defeating him 6-3, 6-2, within an hour of play. Hurkacz’s victory bolstered his confidence, stating, “The last match here gave me a little bit of confidence, and I’ve been playingbetter with every single match.” With 76% of first serves landed and 80% success on those, his dominance was clear, and he carried the team forward decisively.
Poland’s performance came as no surprise, considering their history; they were just inches away from winning last year's edition of the United Cup, after falling to Germany. With the memory still fresh, the team is eager for redemption, aided by fun antics like the quirky addition of "Flammy," their plastic flamingo mascot, unveiled prior to the tournament as good luck.
Meanwhile, Team USA also advanced to the finals after overcoming the Czech Republic, setting the stage for a thrilling championship match on Sunday. Coco Gauff, the American ace, delivered an impressive display, defeating Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-4, maintaining her unbeaten record throughout the tournament. “It’s never easy against Karolina,” Gauff said, reflecting on her match focused intensity, which she believes made all the difference.
Gauff's victory paved the way for Taylor Fritz, who found himself embroiled in quite the dramatic fight against Czech player Tomas Machac. The match took several unexpected turns, culminating in Machac retiring due to cramping during the second set after having taken the first 7-6(4). “It was crazy and very physical, and I was happy to make the final, but not the way I wanted to win it,” Fritz expressed post-match.
Looking forward to the final, the anticipated clash between Swiatek and Gauff highlights both women’s remarkable achievements throughout the competition. Their respective records have been formidable, with Gauff not dropping any set so far, and Swiatek holding strong against formidable opponents like Rybakina. Swiatek leads their historical showdown with 12 wins to Gauff’s two, but Gauff’s most recent battle—where she defeated Swiatek at the WTA Finals—has kindled excitement for what is to come. Gauff expressed enthusiasm, saying, “I’m feeling great,” and emphasized the level of tennis expected between them, urging for confidence to guide her performance.
With the final bringing together the top two seeds of the tournament, the stakes couldn't be higher. Both teams are eager to establish themselves as champions, and it's poised to be a thrilling showdown. The final matches of the United Cup serve not only as a precursor to the Australian Open but also as pivotal moments to claim pride and glory for their respective nations.