![\"Team](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/united-cup-2026-trophy-final-uc.jpg\")
<\/p>\n United Cup
\n Poland erases United Cup heartbreak with first title in Sydney<\/p>\n
Team finds redemption after runner-up finishes the past two years<\/p>\n
January 11, 2026<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Andrew Eichenholz\/ATP Tour<\/p>\n
Team Poland celebrates its first United Cup triumph.
\n By ATP\/WTA Staff<\/p>\n
Hubert Hurkacz capped an emotional injury comeback and erased two years of United Cup final heartbreak when he spearheaded Poland\u2019s tight championship victory over Switzerland at the mixed teams event in Sydney Sunday night.<\/p>\n
Playing his first tournament in seventh months following knee surgery, the former World No. 6 needed a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over Stan Wawrinka to keep his team alive after Iga Swiatek\u2019s earlier 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 loss to Belinda Bencic, who finished the tournament with a 5-0 singles record. <\/p>\n
With the title on the line, Jan Zielinski was again large and in charge as he partnered Katarzyna Kawa to their fifth mixed doubles win, 6-4, 6-3, over the previously undefeated Jakub Paul and Bencic, who was trying to finish the tournament with a perfect 10-0 record in match play. Bencic was named United Cup Finals Most Valuable Player.<\/p>\n
It was an emotional night for 40-year-old Swiss captain Wawrinka, who was hoping to begin his farewell season with an unexpected United Cup title. A courageous Wawrinka played four three-set matches throughout the event but ultimately walked away with just one victory in his five singles appearances. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m kind of speechless. It’s really incredible,\u201d Hurkcaz said. \u201cObviously 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. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust so grateful to the whole team, everyone supporting each other, just being together and enjoying the competition.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFinally, we made it, third time lucky,\u201d Swiatek said during the trophy ceremony. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis moment is so bittersweet,\u201d Bencic said. \u201cWe can be so proud of ourselves and we really deserve to celebrate this. It was truly one of the best weeks of my life.”<\/p>\n
Hurkacz dropped 18 aces on Wawrinka and saved eight of the nine break points he faced, highlighting the lone chink in the 40-year-old\u2019s armour this week. Although he claimed a critical break en route to winning the second set, the three-time Grand Slam champion converted just two of 23 break point opportunities across his five singles matches. <\/p>\n
Hurkacz won four of his five singles matches this week \u2013 including two Top 10 victories over Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz \u2013 in his first appearance since June last year. <\/p>\n
The 28-year-old found redemption after two heartbreaking near misses in the past two United Cup finals. In 2024 he held two championship points before falling to Zverev. Last year Fritz denied him in a third-set tie-break. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s definitely an inspiration. I was growing up watching him play, compete and win so much,\u201d Hurkacz said after beating Wawrinka. \u201cObviously 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. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a bit annoying sometimes when they come up with [those shots]. Good times for him, bad times for me, but it\u2019s a pleasure to compete against him.\u201d<\/p>\n
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