Poland is set to face either the United States or Czechia in the United Cup final after a commanding victory over Kazakhstan at Ken Rosewall Arena this past Saturday. This marks a significant moment for Polish tennis as they hope to claim the title.
In the lead-up to the final, Hubert Hurkacz delivered a strong performance, providing Poland with a 1-0 advantage in the tie by handily defeating Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko with a score of 6-3, 6-2, all accomplished in a swift 57 minutes. This win set the tone for the rest of the match and showcased Hurkacz’s readiness for the challenge ahead.
On the other hand, World No. 2 Iga Swiatek faced a stiffer competition in her singles match against Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion. Swiatek had to dig deep, coming from a break down in the first set, ultimately claiming victory with a score of 7-6 (7-5), 6-4. This match tested her resilience and demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure.
Despite sustaining a minor thigh injury during her earlier quarter-final against Katie Boulter, where she won after a grueling battle, Swiatek appeared to overcome her injury concerns on Saturday. She had her upper right leg strapped during her match, but her performance was anything but hindered. The five-time Grand Slam winner displayed her skill and determination, much to the relief of her supporters.
As for the upcoming semi-final match, the top-seeded U.S. duo of Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff are heavily favored against Czechia’s Tomas Machac and Karolina Muchova. Regardless of who progresses to the final, they will face a formidable opponent in Poland, who has proven to be a challenging contender throughout the tournament.
Hurkacz, who initially struggled during the United Cup group stage, where he faced losses to Casper Ruud and Machac, has since been unstoppable. His string of victories includes a straight-set win over Billy Harris in Poland’s quarter-final clash against Great Britain. On Saturday, he showcased his power and precision by delivering 10 aces compared to just one from Shevchenko.
Reflecting on his performance, Hurkacz stated, “From every single match I’m playing better and better. I’m happy with my performance.” This steady improvement underscores his commitment to the tournament and his drive to succeed.
Swiatek’s match against Rybakina proved to be a battle of wills. Rybakina struck first, breaking Swiatek early and even served for the first set at 5-3. However, Swiatek managed to regain her footing, breaking back and launching herself into a tightly contested tiebreak that lasted 72 minutes. Her tenacity and focus shone through as she took the set after a hard-fought battle.
In the second set, Swiatek capitalized on her momentum, breaking Rybakina to love in the seventh game and holding off a late break point to secure the match after 123 minutes. After the match, Swiatek reflected on her performance, saying, “I for sure didn’t start well. I felt like I was on a hand-break a bit.” She acknowledged the challenge of recovering after an intense quarter-final and finding her rhythm in this pivotal match.
“It’s not easy to recover when you’re going back to the hotel at 1 am and falling asleep at 5 am. So this win makes me really proud,” she added, emphasizing the effort and determination it took to achieve victory under less-than-ideal circumstances.
As Poland advances, all eyes will be on the final, where they will face either the U.S. or Czechia, with the promise of an exciting showdown on the horizon.
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