SYDNEY — Considerations over Iga Swiatek’s health and kind have overshadowed Poland’s landmark victory over Switzerland within the United Cup remaining in Sydney.
Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski received Poland’s first title with a typical 6-4, 6-3 victory over Belinda Bencic and Jakub Paul within the blended doubles remaining performed below the closed roof of the Ken Rosewall Enviornment.
Bencic, match MVP and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist, defeated the struggling Swiatek 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 to win his fifth consecutive singles match, and had an unprecedented 4 doubles successes with Paul.With Switzerland’s loss, Bencic missed out on the match with an ideal rating of 10.
Hubert Hurkas tied the rating at one rubber apiece with an emphatic 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Switzerland’s inspirational enjoying captain Stan Wawrinka.
The 40-year-old triple Grand Slam winner confirmed the love coronary heart signal to the ecstatic crowd after dragging the Sixteenth-seeded Swiss underdogs to unlikely cup glory within the $17 million blended match.
As Hurkasz practically collapsed below the overwhelming stress of holding Poland tied, Wawrinka shocked the group with one of many sweetest one-handed backhands in tennis to today.
Sadly, the retired champions wilted after taking the second set as Poland raced in direction of their first United Cup crown after back-to-back defeats within the 2024 and 2025 finals.
However whereas his group is celebrating, Swiatek will journey to Melbourne on Monday along with his well being and sport below intense scrutiny following a sequence of mysterious meltdowns and a lackluster efficiency in Sydney.
In an alarming improvement with the Australian Open only a week away, the world No. 2 suffered a disappointing loss to Bencic and left the courtroom for therapy after consuming a uncommon bagel.
By the top of the match, Swiatek was in a state of full despair, throwing his racket on the courtroom and breaking down in tears after dropping his second straight match.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka received her third straight title on the Brisbane Worldwide on Sunday and underlined her standing as the favourite for the British Open, whereas Belarus’s closest chaser within the rankings, Swiatek, additionally suffered a straight loss to world No. 4 Coco Gauff on Saturday evening.
The six-time Grand Slam champion was seen crying through the first changeover throughout Friday evening’s win over Australian Maya Joint.
Swiatek, ecstatic about Poland’s victory, ignored any issues.
“Every part is ok. It is simply plenty of ache,” she stated.
“For the primary match of the yr, my physique (feels) a bit bit completely different than it did through the season.
“However I had an identical expertise final yr, so I’m going to take a number of days off and absolutely get well.
“Additionally, I actually love these group occasions, however they actually require plenty of vitality.
“So I nonetheless have to determine tips on how to steadiness issues out sooner or later as a result of I get actually excited after I’m on the bench.
“Actually, it’s virtually like enjoying a sport, so it’s okay.”
However after finishing the third leg of his legendary Profession Grand Slam with a well-known 6-0, 6-0 Wimbledon remaining win final July, the 24-year-old’s well being and sport kind shall be one of many large speaking factors within the countdown to the season’s first main, which begins subsequent Sunday at Melbourne Park.
