Hubert Hurkacz and Iga Swiatek secure the SF in the United Cup | ATP Tour

United Cup

Hurkacz and Swiatek secure the SF in the United Cup

Poland will face Kazakhstan for a place in the final

January 02, 2025

Poland will be in the semifinals for the third consecutive season in the United Cup. In other words, the Poles have been present in this round in all editions of the mixed team competition.

And they will do so after Iga Swiatek sealed the pass this Thursday, after beating the British Katie Boulter in a dramatic duel of almost three hours by 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4. It was the icing on the cake of a path that Hubert Hurkacz opened at the beginning of the day against Billy Harris 7-6(3), 7-5.

In this way, Poland will face Kazakhstan in search of its second final in the tournament. Last year they fell just short of the title, after losing to Germany in the last round.

The first duel between Swiatek and Boulter did not disappoint. The world No. 24 was very close to forcing the decisive point of the mixed doubles against the former number one, who had to work hard to come back against the British and make it 2-0 in the series.

“This game was crazy,” Swiatek admitted. “There were many changes in dynamics. I thought I had control in the first set, but it wasn’t enough and it didn’t work. “I didn’t want to repeat the same mistake in the third set.”

^{Foto: Peter Staples/ATP Tour}

Previously, Hurkacz had brought his country a little closer to the goal of being among the four best teams, after beating the British Billy Harris 7-6(3), 7-5 in one hour and 45 minutes.

“I’m very happy with myself,” Hurkacz said. “Today was a very difficult battle with Billy. He played great tennis and I am very happy to have carried it forward.”

The No. 16 in the PIF ATP Rankings achieved his first victory of the year in the individual category, since in the group stage he was unable to score points for Poland against the Norwegian Casper Ruud and the Czech Tomas Machac.

However, it was the 150th victory of his career on hard courts and, most importantly for the Polish team, his fifth victory against a Top 30 rival in the United Cup (5-0).

“This victory is essential to gain more confidence and try to win another game,” Hurkacz warned.

The disciple of Nicolás Massú in this new season now allows Iga Swiatek to close the ticket to the semifinals for Poland for the third consecutive year.