SYDNEY — Poland superior to a second straight United Cup last Saturday with a convincing 2-0 victory over Kazakhstan after Hubert Hurkacz and Iga Swiatek gained their singles matches.
Final yr’s runners-up will tackle america or Czech Republic in Sunday’s title conflict. The 2 groups face off within the second semifinal.
World No. 2 Swiatek wrapped up the tie with a battling show in opposition to the big-hitting Elena Rybakina for a 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory at Ken Rosewall Area.
“I feel this was the primary time I used to be in a position to win in opposition to Elena on a sooner floor,” an exhausted Swiatek mentioned after a match that lasted just a little over two hours. “It means quite a bit. I did not begin nicely, I felt like I used to be on the handbrake a bit. I knew I needed to do one thing as a result of this match might go each methods. I needed to vary the momentum and I am joyful I did that within the final doable likelihood.
“I advised myself that I am not going to overlook anymore, and I am joyful as a result of it is at all times robust in opposition to Elena.”
Hurkacz earlier beat Alexander Shevchenko 6-3, 6-2 in lower than an hour to assist his group put one foot into the ultimate.
“The final match right here gave me just a little little bit of confidence and I have been enjoying higher with each single match,” mentioned Hurkacz, who beat Britain’s Billy Harris within the quarterfinal after a few defeats within the group stage.
Poland was crushed by Germany in final yr’s last.
The 18-team United Cup is a tune-up occasion for the Australian Open, which runs from Jan. 12-26.
Reuters contributed to this report.
