United Cup: Iga Swiatek leads Poland to Germany win after stunning Lys effort thwarted

Eva Lys was playing lights out for a set and a half against Iga Swiatek as she looked to anchor Germany back into their United Cup tie against Poland. But Iga Swiatek managed to bounce back in an epic conclusion to their tie.

Swiatek completed the feat after Hubert Hurkacz earlier had taken down Alexander Zverev in a stunning victory in the context of his last 18 months which has seen the Pole on the sidelines for the majority. He saw off Zverev 6-3, 6-4 to give his country the lead.

Hurkacz had not played since June in 's-Hertogenbosch leading a fall to World No.83 but he showed that he still has strength in his game as he played way above his current predicament to win through facing just one break point in one hour and 23 minutes. He held up well against Zverev breaking with an exquisite backhand for 3-3 and hitting 21 aces. before going on to seal the set 6-4 and the win.

"It's been a while since I've been competing. Seven months I've been going through difficult times with the team and it was very challenging," Hurkacz said as per United Cup. "They were all supporting me, they were all behind me. We went through definitely a long period of time not competing and not knowing when we [would] be able to be back on court again. I was just trying to cherish and enjoy every moment here on the court today."

"I was serving quite well. I was finding nice spots, so that's definitely a nice feeling to really have good rhythm on the serve," Hurkacz continued. "Just so pleased with the performance and just also so much fun to see the fans again."

But this was nearly undone as the ever improving Eva Lys was even shocked herself with the level that she produced on court. Lys had never won more than two games in any of the six previous sets she had played against Swiatek and despite leaving the court somewhat crestfallen, she won the opener 6-3 and Swiatek had to produce some of her best tennis to see her off.

Lys was 3-1 up in the second set and looked on for the upset but the five-time major champion is made of sterner stuff and came back decisively. She won five straight games to claim. the second set 6-3 and broke again to go up 3-1 in the third. Lys broke back to level the final set at 3-3. But Swiatek came back to win it 6-4. The second serve was on point for Swiatek who hit 52% of her second serve points compared to just 39 for Lys. While the two players were almost dead level in first serve statistics hitting 54% and 53%. Swiatek though carried Poland over the line.

Now the doubles is a bit of a dead rubber but Swiatek made sure of that herself in seeing off Lys as she likely would've geared up for decisive doubles given Hurkacz's lack of court time and Zverev being World No.3 but it proved to be a day for Poland both in her win and also in her compatriot's.