Tennis: Poland through to United Cup semis after 2-1 win over Australia

The Polish national tennis team advanced to the semifinals of the United Cup tournament in Australia after beating the host nation 2-1 in their quarterfinal clash on Friday.

Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zieliński.

Photo: EPA/DAN HIMBRECHTS

The mixed doubles duo of Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zieliński earned the decisive point for Team Poland, overpowering Australia's Storm Hunter and John-Patrick Smith in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Photo: EPA/DAN HIMBRECHTS

Earlier, Poland's world No. 2 Iga Świątek beat Australia's Maya Joint 6-1, 6-1 in the women's singles, and Hubert Hurkacz lost 4-6, 6-4, 4-6 to Alex de Minaur in the men's singles.

Perfekcyjny mecz Igi Świątek na @UnitedCupTennis https://t.co/LC7IemQwvC

— Sport PolskieRadio24.pl (@sport_pr24pl) January 9, 2026

Hubert Hurkacz znalazł pogromcę. Alex De Minaur musiał wspiąć się na wyżyny, aby pokonać Polaka.
𝗠𝗜𝗞𝗦𝗧 𝗭𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗬𝗗𝗨𝗝𝗘 🇵🇱🇦🇺 o awansie do półfinału #UnitedCup https://t.co/MiO5lrzhix

— Sport PolskieRadio24.pl (@sport_pr24pl) January 9, 2026

Poland will face Team USA, the United Cup title holders, on Saturday for a place in the championship match.

Polska w półfinale United Cup 🚩🚩🚩 Zieliński i Kawa zagrali, jak z nut 🔥

WIĘCEJ 👉 https://t.co/xGxVsP01lX pic.twitter.com/hYQM5S8Jdo

— Sport PolskieRadio24.pl (@sport_pr24pl) January 9, 2026

Poland are two-time United Cup finalists, losing the title match to Germany in 2024 and to the United States in 2025.

Team Poland stand for the national anthem at the 2026 United Cup mixed-teams tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia. Photo: EPA/MARK EVANS

The United Cup serves as a warm-up event to the Australian Open, which begins on January 18 in Melbourne.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP