The finalists for the United Cup have been decided, with the tournament’s top seeds vying for the title. Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz will lead Team Poland against the United States, represented by Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz.
An exciting matchup is expected, with both teams evenly matched on paper. Poland, last year’s finalists, aim to improve on their 2024 result, where they had a championship point against Germany but ultimately fell in a dramatic comeback.
Swiatek and Hurkacz lead Poland to final showdown
Poland entered the tournament as the second seed, bolstered by the combined rankings of their top players, Iga Swiatek (No. 2) and Hubert Hurkacz (No. 16). Similar to 2024, Poland has been powered by an unbeatable Swiatek, who has claimed four consecutive singles victories and won both of her appearances in mixed doubles.
Hubert Hurkacz has also played a crucial role. Despite losing both of his Round Robin matches, he has been dominant in the knockout stages. In the semifinals, Hurkacz set the tone with a convincing win over Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko (6-3, 6-2), leaving the responsibility to Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, to face none other than Elena Rybakina.
In a match that lived up to expectations, both players displayed their best, but Swiatek emerged victorious against one of her toughest career opponents. Rybakina had won four of their last five encounters, but Swiatek secured the win in straight sets, clinching Poland’s spot in the final before the mixed doubles were even necessary.
Gauff and Fritz ready for final test
The United States entered the tournament as clear favourites, led by Coco Gauff (No. 3) and Taylor Fritz (No. 4)—two elite players few would want to face. They have won 11 of their 12 matches (including Round Robin and Knockout Stages), with Fritz’s sole loss coming against Felix Auger-Aliassime on the opening day.
Coco Gauff has started the season in excellent form, claiming four singles victories against tough opponents. She dominated former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez (6-3, 6-2) and Olympic silver medallist Donna Vekic (6-4, 6-2), before overcoming Shuai Zhang of China and Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic—all without dropping a set.
Taylor Fritz benefited from Tomas Machac’s injury retirement, with the Czech leading 7-6, 5-6 and serving for the tie-break when he was forced to withdraw. This bittersweet win helped secure the USA’s place in the final. In mixed doubles, Krawczyk and Kudla defeated Knutson and Rikl in what turned out to be a symbolic match, as the series outcome had already been decided.
Swiatek vs Gauff, Hurkacz vs Fritz – Who will prevail?
The finals will kick off with a blockbuster match between Iga Swiatek (No. 2) and Coco Gauff (No. 3), one of the most compelling rivalries in recent years. However, Swiatek dominates their head-to-head record at 11-2.
Gauff’s only victories came in 2023 at the Cincinnati Open, during her career-best run leading to her first major title, and later in the 2024 WTA Finals Round Robin stage. Both wins occurred during periods of high confidence for Gauff, while Swiatek was experiencing dips in form. This time, Gauff faces a resurgent Swiatek, who appears full of confidence following her win over Rybakina.
The second singles match will feature Hubert Hurkacz (No. 16) against Taylor Fritz (No. 4). Hurkacz, despite early setbacks in the tournament, has regained his form under the guidance of new coaches Nicolás Massu and Ivan Lendl. However, Fritz remains the favourite, leading their head-to-head 3-1, including a straight-sets win in the 2023 United Cup semifinals.
Swiatek and Fritz are favoured to win their singles matches, but anything can happen. If the teams are tied after the singles matches, the final will be decided in a mixed doubles match.
In the Round Robin stage, Team USA’s duo was Gauff and Fritz, who were only substituted in the Knockout Stage after their qualification was secured. It’s expected they will return for the decisive match.
Poland has also rotated its doubles players, with Swiatek partnering Jan Zielinski and Hubert Hurkacz during earlier matches. However, in the Knockout Stage, Swiatek was replaced by Chwalinska alongside Zielinski in already-decided matches. Swiatek is likely to return, with her male partner to be chosen between specialist Zielinski and singles No. 1 Hurkacz.
Team USA advances to the final thanks to the incredible efforts of Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz 💪
— Sportskeeda Tennis (@SK__Tennis) January 4, 2025
Iga Swiatek secures an INCREDIBLE win over Elena Rybakina to send Team Poland to the final 🔥
It's 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑼𝑺𝑨 𝒗𝒔. 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 for the United Cup title tomorrow! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Tl42ewD5Si
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.
mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
