Hubert Hurkacz stunned Alexander Zverev on Monday evening in Sydney, before Iga Swiatek rallied from a set and a break down to defeat fast-improving Eva Lys to clinch Poland's eventual 3-0 victory against Germany at the United Cup.
After missing nearly seven months due to a right knee injury for which he underwent arthroscopic surgery on 2 July, Hurkacz made a statement return to action. The 28-year-old upset World No. 3 Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 to give his country the lead.
"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. "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."
Hurkacz had not played a match since June in ’s-Hertogenbosch, leading to a fall to No. 83 in the PIF ATP Rankings. But the former World No. 6 played well above his ranking inside Ken Rosewall Arena, facing just one break point in his one-hour, 23-minute victory.
The two-time Nitto ATP Finals competitor held up well under pressure against Zverev, beautifully redirecting a backhand up the line to secure the critical break at 3-3 in the second set. Hurkacz faced just one break point in the match according to Infosys ATP Stats, hitting 21 aces to allow his opponent few opportunities to work his way into points.
"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 said. "Just so pleased with the performance and just also so much fun to see the fans again."
Zverev walked on court with a 3-1 Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead against Hurkacz, but was unable to consistently make Hurkacz uncomfortable the way he did Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor on Sunday.
Swiatek then needed to overcome an inspired effort from Lys, before securing the decisive break in the 10th game of the final set to close out a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory in just under two-and-a-half hours.
Lys had never won more than two games in any of the six previous sets she had played against Swiatek. The German, coming off a win over Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands in her opening United Cup match, looked poised for a major upset after breaking to lead 3-1 in the second set. The six-time major champion then mounted her comeback.
Swiatek won five straight games to claim the second set 6-3 and broke again to go up 3-1 in the third. Just as momentum appeared to have swung decisively in the Pole’s favor, Lys broke back to level the final set at 3-3.
The second-serve performance proved decisive. Swiatek won 52 per cent of her second-serve points, compared to 39 per cent for Lys, while the two players were nearly even on first-serve points won, with Swiatek at 54 per cent and Lys at 53 per cent.
Swiatek’s United Cup record is now 12-2 and this was her 31st victory in her past 32 matches against players ranked outside the Top 40. This tie was a rematch of the 2024 United Cup final.
In the mixed doubles, Poland's Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski defeated Laura Siegemund and Zverev 7-6(6), 6-3.
