Poland will compete in the United Cup final following a win over France. Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz led their country toward the win, beating Caroline Garcia and Adrian Mannarino, respectively, and setting the title clash against Australia or Germany.
Swiatek overcame a slow start and beat Caroline Garcia 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 in an hour and 46 minutes. The pole played better behind the first and second serve, getting broken once in the opener and keeping the pressure on her rival in sets two and three.
Despite holding the first serve percentage high, Garcia struggled a lot after the opener, taking 12 points behind the initial shot in sets two and three and experiencing five breaks. Iga missed her chances at the beginning of the duel, and Caroline broke her in game seven for a 4-3 lead.
The French player produced a fine hold in game eight and earned a set point on the return at 5-3. Swiatek denied it and held before Garcia wrapped up the set with another fine hold in game ten.
Poland is through into the United Cup final.
Iga raised her level in the second set and moved 4-0 in front with a double break. World no. 1 held at love in game five and closed the set on her serve at 5-1, forcing a decider and gaining a boost. With nothing working her way behind the initial shot, Caroline suffered three breaks in the third set, pushing Iga over the top.
Hubert Hurkacz sealed the deal for Poland thanks to a 6-3, 7-5 win over Adrian Mannarino in an hour and 41 minutes. The better-ranked player fired 15 aces and dominated his service games, never facing a break point and keeping the pressure on the other side.
Mannarino fought well, fending off three out of five break points but losing serve once in each set to end France’s chances. Hubert missed a break chance in the encounter’s second game. He mounted more pressure on Adrian in game four, clinching an extended rally to secure a break and moving 3-1 in front.
The Pole cemented the lead with a hold at love in game five and gained a 5-2 advantage with a service winner in game seven. Hurkacz served for the opener at 5-3 and landed an ace, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 36 minutes.
A left-hander saved a break point in the second set’s third game with a smash winner at the net, with both players serving well in the following seven games for 5-5. Mannarino took two points from taking the set in the tenth game.
However, Hurkacz stayed calm and held after deuce. Adrian missed a game point at 5-5 and faced a break point after a loose forehand. The Pole fired a forehand down the line winner, seizing his opportunity and moving 6-5 in front.
Hubert served for the win in game 12 and held at love after a smash winner at the net, propelling Poland into Sunday’s title clash.
