Poland has secured its first United Cup title, defeating Switzerland in a thrilling final Sunday in Sydney. The polish team, led by a resurgent Hubert Hurkacz returning from a seven-month injury absence, overcame a strong Swiss squad featuring the dominant Belinda Bencic, who finished the tournament undefeated in singles play. The victory marks a significant milestone for polish tennis and caps a highly competitive edition of the mixed-teams event [[1]].
Poland claimed the United Cup title Sunday night in Sydney, overcoming Switzerland in a tightly contested final that capped off a dramatic tournament for both teams. The victory marked a triumphant return to competition for Hubert Hurkacz, who spearheaded the Polish effort after a seven-month absence due to a knee injury.
The decisive moment came courtesy of Hurkacz’s 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over veteran Stan Wawrinka. The match was crucial after Belinda Bencic had earlier given Switzerland the lead with a 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 comeback victory against Iga Swiatek. Bencic finished the tournament with an impressive 5-0 singles record.
With the championship on the line, Jan Zielinski and Katarzyna Kawa sealed the win for Poland in mixed doubles, defeating Jakub Paul and Bencic 6-4, 6-3. It was the fifth mixed doubles victory of the tournament for the Polish duo. Despite the loss, Bencic was named the United Cup Finals Most Valuable Player.
The night held particular significance for Wawrinka, who was playing what could be his final season. The 40-year-old battled through four three-set matches during the event, securing only one singles win in five appearances.
“I’m kind of speechless. It’s really incredible,” Hurkacz said after the match. “Obviously personally, but also a massive day for Poland, for Polish tennis. We showed how strong we are as a Polish country in tennis. To win that trophy, it tastes incredible. After we came very close two times.”
“Just so grateful to the whole team, everyone supporting each other, just being together and enjoying the competition.”
“Finally, we made it, third time lucky,” Swiatek said during the trophy ceremony. “I really felt it was a team effort this year. Hubi, what a comeback after so many months. You played amazing. You inspired us all with determination. I feel you improved every part of our game. Our doubles team, wow! You just beat everyone. It was amazing.”
“This moment is so bittersweet,” Bencic said. “We can be so proud of ourselves and we really deserve to celebrate this. It was truly one of the best weeks of my life.”
Hurkacz delivered a dominant serving performance against Wawrinka, firing 18 aces and saving eight of nine break points. Wawrinka struggled to convert break opportunities throughout the week, managing just two successful breaks from 23 chances across his five singles matches.
Hurkacz finished the week with four singles victories, including notable wins over Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz, in his first tournament appearance since June of last year. The win provided redemption after heartbreaking losses in the previous two United Cup finals, where he held championship points in 2024 against Zverev and fell to Fritz in a third-set tie-break last year.
“He’s definitely an inspiration. I was growing up watching him play, compete and win so much,” Hurkacz said of Wawrinka. “Obviously his game style is really powerful. The shots that he can pull off sometimes, you can really admire them even when you are on the other side of the net.
“It’s a bit annoying sometimes when they come up with [those shots]. Good times for him, bad times for me, but it’s a pleasure to compete against him.”
Earlier in the day, Bencic continued her impressive run with a 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 comeback win over Swiatek, extending her unbeaten streak in the tournament.
“It’s always a challenge playing against her and every time I play her, I look for ways to improve and make her life a bit more difficult,” Bencic said on court. “I think the difference today was I played very freely, I was really enjoying myself out on the court and I was just really going for it.”
Bencic won 12 of the final 15 games, securing her second victory over the World No. 2. Swiatek started strong, taking the first set 6-3, but Bencic quickly shifted the momentum.
Swiatek initially held serve and secured an early break, leading 3-0. However, Bencic battled back, winning two consecutive games to narrow the gap. Despite Swiatek’s strong start, Bencic dominated the second set, winning nine straight points and ultimately closing it out in 33 minutes.
“To be honest, I felt I was in the match from the very first point,” Bencic said. “I thought I was going great and I was 0-3 down. I was ‘OK, what do I have to do.’ I think I just tried to keep the level and just wait for some chances.”
The third set saw Bencic break Swiatek’s serve to take a crucial lead. Despite a late fight from Swiatek, who saved two match points with aces, Bencic ultimately prevailed, winning the set 6-3 and sealing the victory with a backhand winner. Swiatek finished the match with 36 unforced errors to her opponent’s 10.
