{"id":400637,"date":"2026-01-08T22:24:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T22:24:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/400637\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T22:24:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T22:24:11","slug":"alex-de-minaur-faces-hubert-hurkaczs-serving-storm-in-united-cup-qf-atp-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/400637\/","title":{"rendered":"Alex de Minaur faces Hubert Hurkacz’s serving storm in United Cup QF | ATP Tour"},"content":{"rendered":"

Match Preview
\n De Minaur braces for Hurkacz test in United Cup QF<\/p>\n

Team Australia faces two-time defending finalist Team Poland on Friday in Sydney<\/p>\n

January 08, 2026<\/p>\n

\"Alex<\/p>\n

TENNIS AUSTRALIA<\/p>\n

Alex de Minaur leads Hubert Hurkacz 2-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
\n By Jerome Coombe<\/p>\n

Will Alex de Minaur<\/a> be the next player caught in Hubert Hurkacz<\/a>\u2019s United Cup<\/a> serving barrage when the pair meets in Sydney on Friday?<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old Pole has made an emphatic return from a seven-month injury layoff, firing 21 aces in each of his two-set wins over World No. 3 Alexander Zverev<\/a> and Tallon Griekspoor<\/a>. Backed by teammate Iga Swiatek \u2014 who has also won both of her singles matches \u2014 Team Poland, two-time defending runner-up, has surged into its third straight quarter-final.<\/p>\n

Standing in their way is home favourite Team Australia, spearheaded by De Minaur and 19-year-old rising star Maya Joint. The tie gets underway with the women’s singles at 5:30 p.m. local time.<\/p>\n

You May Also Like: Massu on Hurkacz’s comeback: ‘Nothing is impossible if you maintain the work ethic’<\/a><\/p>\n

De Minaur can draw confidence from his 2-1 Lexus ATP Head2Head edge over Hurkacz, including a win in their most recent meeting at Indian Wells last year. Since then, Hurkacz has undergone knee surgery and is competing as the No. 85 in the PIF ATP Rankings, but his performances in Sydney have underlined why he is a former Top 10 player.<\/p>\n

After reaching the semi-finals of the Nitto ATP Finals<\/a> in November, De Minaur opened his 2026 campaign with a straight-sets loss to Casper Ruud<\/a>. He quickly rebounded against Czechia, however, pulling double duty to propel Australia into the quarter-finals. Hurkacz is well aware of the challenge ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlex has been very successful in the past years,\u201d Hurkacz said of De Minaur, who is at a career-high World No. 6. \u201cHe’s really quick, moves around the court incredibly well. It’s going to be a good challenge, especially with the Aussie crowd. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and I’m excited for the match.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ace machine \ud83d\ude2e\u200d\ud83d\udca8<\/p>\n

Of course Hubi gets our @Nexo<\/a> #serveoftheday<\/a>!#nexo<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/8tQYNUTm1d<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 United Cup<\/a> (@UnitedCupTennis) January 7, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Swiatek needed just 66 minutes to dispatch Joint in their only previous meeting in Seoul last September, but the six-time major champion is not taking anything for granted. While the Australian teenager will enjoy strong home support, Swiatek may have won over a few local fans with her glowing assessment of Sydney following her three-set win against Eva Lys on Monday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love being here,\u201d Swiatek said. \u201cI could honestly live here \u2014 I love Sydney. I wasn\u2019t sure, but I think it\u2019s becoming my favourite city in the whole world. I really have fun here.\u201d<\/p>\n

If the singles matches are split, the tie will be decided by a mixed doubles rubber.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n