Led by Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz, the USA stood among the United Cup favorites. Gauff and Fritz proved that on the court, delivering the title for their country! In Sunday's final in Sydney, the USA defeated Poland 2-0 following two singles triumphs.
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Coco took down Iga Swiatek in straight sets before Taylor prevailed over Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 in two hours and 18 minutes to seal the deal and bring the trophy home. Thus, Swiatek and Hurkacz experienced their second straight United Cup final loss, falling to Germany a year ago.
Like two years ago, Taylor defeated Hubert at the United Cup. They pushed each other to the limits, and the American prevailed in the closing stages to secure a notable win. They fired 30 aces and dominated behind the first serve, which was expected.
A little separated them behind the second serve, and they finished on 96 points each! Fritz dropped serve once in the closing stages of the second set. He grabbed a break in the first set while nothing separated them in the decider.
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The American provided five comfortableholds in the opening set. Fritz stepped in on the return in the fifth game and delivered his only break of serve. World no. 4 held at 15 in the tenth game for 6-4 and a boost, sending his country closer to the top.
Hurkacz denied a break point in the first game of the second set to remain in contention. Taylor produced one good hold after another, pressuring his opponent and reaching deuces on the return in the seventh game. Hurkacz survived them and held to stay in touch.
Suddenly, the American lostfocus while serving to stay in the set at 5-6. World no. 4 experienced a break at love, allowing his rival to steal the set 7-5 and force a decider. The servers stood too strong in the final part of the duel, introducing a tie break.
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Hubert earned an early mini-break before losing it in the fourth point. Taylor grabbed another mini-break in the eighth point for a 5-3 lead. The American created two match points and converted the first with a forehand winner, starting a massive celebration with his teammates.
Fritz will travel to Melbourne with a boost. He fell to Novak Djokovic at last year's Australian Open and will chase another deep run following a great run in 2024.
