Poland and Iga Swiatek end wait to capture maiden United Cup title against Switzerland - 'Third time lucky'
Published 11/01/2026 at 18:09 GMT
React to this story
Poland won their first United Cup title after losing the previous two finals, beating Switzerland 2-1 as Jan Zielinski and Katarzyna Kawa partnered to prevail in the mixed doubles during the deciding rubber. Belinda Bencic had beaten Iga Swiatek in the opening match, only for Hubert Hurkacz to fight back with a win over Stan Wawrinka to regain parity in Sydney.
Highlights: Medvedev sees off Nakashima to clinch Brisbane title
Video credit: SNTV
Poland captured a maiden United Cup title after a 2-1 win over Switzerland in the final in Sydney with star player Iga Swiatek claiming: "Finally, we made it."
Jan Zielinski and Katarzyna Kawa prevailed in the mixed doubles with the title on the line, snapping Belinda Bencic's nine-match winning streak at the tournament.
Bencic had put the Swiss team in the driving seat with a 3-6 6-0 6-3 win over world No. 2 Swiatek.
The 28-year-old was named as the United Cup Finals' Most Valuable Player and ended with a 5-0 record in singles matches throughout her time in Australia.
It was up to Hubert Hurkacz to put Poland back on track by defeating Stan Wawrinka, capping an emotional comeback from injury and undoing two years of United Cup final losses after the Poles had lost to the United States and Germany in the past two years.
But in the decider doubles, Zielinski and Kawa combined for their fifth win of the competition, 6-4, 6-3, against the previously undefeated Jakub Paul and Bencic.
"Finally, we made it, third time lucky," Swiatek said. "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."
The Poles had to dig deep after Bencic defeated Swiatek with a comeback win of her own.
After losing the first set, a dominant 6-0 second set preceded a 6-3 in the final set of the opening match.
She won nine consecutive points in the second set and the third saw her save two break points as momentum firmly shifted in her favour.
"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 of Swiatek.
"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.
"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."
- Aryna Sabalenka reveals 2026 schedule plans ahead of Australian Open, as four-time Grand Slam winner set to swerve rules
- 'I don't care about that' - Aryna Sabalenka dismisses Marta Kostyuk handshake snub after Brisbane International victory
Hurkacz then crushed the opening salvo of Wawrinka's retirement tour, beating the 40-year-old Swiss 6-3 3-6 6-3 in the second match of the final.
"I’m kind of speechless. It's really incredible," Hurkcaz said. "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."
Wawrinka was hoping to begin his farewell season with a United Cup title but was thwarted by Hurkcaz and left with just one victory in his five singles appearances.
He pushed Hurkacz to a deciding set, however was unable to get the better of him.
"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."
Watch and stream top tennis action, including the 2026 Australian Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement