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By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, January 11, 2026Photo credit score: United Cup Fb
Two time runner-up Poland powered to prime Pole place in Sydney.
Jan Zielinski and Katarzyna Kawa swept Jakub Paul and Belinda Bencic 6-4, 6-3 clinching Poland’s 2-1 victory over Switzerland and maiden United Cup championship at Ken Rosewall Area in Sydney tonight.
On its second championship level, Zielinski rocked a forehand return proper at web participant Bencic to set off the joyous Poland celebration.
After closing losses to america final 12 months and Germany two years in the past, Poland was a group on a mission capturing the Cup with one other highly effective efficiency from Kawa and Zielinski, who defeated Coco Gauff and Christian Harrison to seal Poland’s 2-1 victory over america within the semifinals.
The combined magic was arrange by Hubert Hurkacz, who was sidelined for seven months final season and got here again with roaring outcomes to encourage his teammates this week.
“Oh my God we lastly made it,” world No. 2 Iga Swiatek mentioned on court docket. “Third time fortunate, not fortunate as a result of we labored actually arduous. I needed to thank our group as a result of I really feel it was such a group effort.
“I actually felt the help despite the fact that my efficiency wasn’t good. Hubie, what a comeback after so many months. You performed wonderful, you impressed us all with willpower and every little thing you confirmed us on court docket. It’s actually wonderful. Our doubles group truthfully, you simply beat everybody. It was wonderful the arrogance the smile in your faces, actually wonderful job.”
A heroic Bencic staked Switzerland to a 1-0 lead with a 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 victory over Iga Swiatek. Bencic raised her United Cup singles document to 5-0 scoring her second straight three-set triumph following her win over Elise Mertens within the semifinals. Bencic principally carried Switzerland to this closing, posting a 9-1 mixed document in singles and combined doubles along with her lone loss coming tonight.
Bencic earned the United Cup Most Worthwhile Participant honors for her distinctive effort.
“It’s so many feelings proper now,” Bencic mentioned. “First, congratulations to Staff Poland. You performed wonderful and also you deserved this a lot.
“Congrats, to your group. Properly accomplished. Congrats to our group. It’s so bittersweet at this second. It was actually, actually probably the greatest weeks of my life and I’m actually gonna keep in mind this for positive.”
Enter Polish powerhouse Hubert Hurkacz to ignite Poland’s comeback.
Hurkacz hammered 18 aces in a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory over 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka to degree the tie at 1-all and pressure the decisive combined doubles.
“Stan was [a] higher participant within the second set and I knew I used to be catching him in the direction of the tip,” Hurkacz mentioned. “I used to be discovering a greater recreation and I knew I can increase my serve recreation and that gave me confidence.
“Additionally, from the baseline, I felt like I’d get some probabilities and there can be some alternatives for me.”
Poland’s ardour—and synchronized motion—have been key elements on this decisive combined doubles win.
Poland led 5-4 when Bencic saved a set level with a excessive forehand volley down the road.
On its second set level, Kawa poached on the proper time and angled off a slick backhand drop volley winner to shut the opening set.
An empowered Poland instantly stretched its lead breaking Paul to take a 1-0 second-set lead.
The second-set turning level got here when Kawa and Paul went toe-to-toe in a riveting backhand alternate. Kawa boldly stood her floor forcing a netted backhand as Poland prolonged its result in 3-1.
Bencic held to place Switzerland to inside 3-4.
On its second championship level, Zielinski jumped on a Paul second serve and rocked a forehand return proper at Bencic to clinch the victory and incite Poland’s long-awaited United Cup championship celebration.
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