Hurkacz sends United Cup remaining to a deciding blended doubles

United Cup

Hurkacz sends United Cup remaining to a deciding blended doubles

Bencic seems to be to finish match with good 10-0 report

January 11, 2026

Hubert Hurkacz defeated Stan Wawrinka 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to attract Poland degree with Switzerland and ship the United Cup remaining to a deciding blended doubles in Sydney on Sunday evening.

“Stan was [the] higher participant within the second set and I knew I used to be catching him in the direction of the tip. I used to be discovering a greater recreation and I knew I can elevate my serve recreation and that gave me confidence,” Hurkacz mentioned. “Additionally, from the baseline, I felt like I’d get some probabilities and there could be some alternatives for me.”

Earlier, Belinda Bencic upset Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 to enhance to 5-0 in singles this match and 9-0 general to offer the Swiss an early lead. She is now scheduled to compete in blended, chasing a fairytale 10-0 report to ship Switzerland its first United Cup title 

Hurkacz dropped 18 aces on the brave Wawrinka and saved eight of the 9 break factors he confronted, highlighting the lone chink within the 40-year-old’s armour this week. Though he claimed a vital break en path to profitable the second set, the three-time Grand Slam champion transformed simply two of 23 break level alternatives throughout his 5 singles matches through the occasion.

“He’s positively an inspiration. I used to be rising up watching him play, compete and win a lot,” Hurkacz mentioned. “Clearly his recreation type is absolutely highly effective. The pictures that he can pull off typically, you’ll be able to actually admire them even if you find yourself on the opposite aspect of the online.

“It’s a bit annoying typically after they give you [those shots]. Good instances for him, dangerous instances for me, but it surely’s a pleasure to compete towards him.”

Hurkacz received 4 of his 5 singles matches this week, capping a triumphant return from a seven-month harm layoff after knee surgical procedure.

The 28-year-old former World No. 6 is in search of United Cup redemption after two heartbreaking close to misses prior to now two United Cup finals. In 2024 he held two championship factors earlier than falling to Alexander Zverev. Final 12 months Taylor Fritz denied him in a third-set tie-break.

Belinda Bencic’s undefeated run continues. With a 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 comeback win over Poland’s Iga Swiatek, the Swiss No. 1 put her nation one win from their first United Cup title. She’s now 9-0 on the match, with 5 wins in singles.

“It’s all the time a problem enjoying towards her and each time I play her, I search for methods to enhance and make her life a bit tougher,” Bencic mentioned on courtroom. “I believe the distinction at the moment was I performed very freely, I used to be actually having fun with myself out on the courtroom and I used to be simply actually going for it.”

Bencic received 12 of the ultimate 15 video games, incomes her second victory over the World No. 2. The primary set appeared the tie’s first match was going to belong to Swiatek, however the pendulum rapidly shifted the momentum into Bencic’s favor.

Swiatek began sturdy early, holding serve within the opening recreation with 4 straight factors adopted by the match’s first break and one other maintain. With Swiatek up 3-0, Bencic settled into the match, profitable two consecutive video games of her personal, chopping the deficit to 3-2 after a backhand winner on the third break level.

The World No. 2 finally closed out the set, profitable three of the subsequent 4 video games, together with two breaks of Bencic’s serve. Successful the set 6-3, Swiatek hit a crosscourt backhand winner that the Swiss couldn’t attain.

The second set, nevertheless, would function Bencic domination. Bencic began the second set profitable 9 consecutive factors, and within the third recreation, she saved two break factors. The next recreation, she’d earn the essential break on the third probability and completed the set in 33 minutes.

“To be trustworthy, I felt I used to be within the match from the very first level,” Bencic mentioned. “I believed I used to be going nice and I used to be 0-3 down. I used to be ‘OK, what do I’ve to do.’ I believe I simply tried to maintain the extent and simply await some probabilities.”

After three consecutive video games with service holds to start the third, Bencic notched the turning level. With a strong forehand to arrange break level, she took benefit of the essential level, returning Swiatek’s serve with a convincing backhand winner. Swiatek fought to the final level, holding two video games of serve and saving two match factors with a pair of aces. However as Swiatek — who had an uncharacteristic 36 unforced errors her opponent’s 10 — trailed 5-3, Bencic earned triple match level, and her backhand winner into the open courtroom sealed the deal.