Gauff, Fritz deliver US second United Cup triumph after beating Poland in final

Australia World

Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz have lived up to their all-star billing to lead the US to United Cup glory with a 2-0 triumph over Poland in the final in Sydney.

Gauff laid down an Australian Open marker with a 6-4, 6-4 defeat of world number two Iga Świątek.

Fritz then sealed victory for the top seeds with a 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7/4) win over Hubert Hurkacz in a thrilling men’s singles match.

A mixed doubles rubber was not required on Sunday night as Fritz rebounded from dropping the second set to take the match in a deciding tie-breaker at Ken Rosewall Arena.

The victory was the second for the US in the United Cup following its win in the inaugural tournament in 2023.

The US lifted the trophy for the loss of just two sets in 14 rubbers, with the rampant Gauff finishing undefeated and looking in ominous touch ahead of the Australian Open starting next Sunday.

The world number three repeated her straight-sets victory over Świątek at the WTA Finals in November with another statement win against the five-time major champion.

Świątek was contesting her first official event since serving a one-month doping ban after the season-ending championship.

The gruelling workload of singles and mixed doubles may have taken a physical toll as Poland fell short in the final for a second year running.

Former world number one Świątek had her left thigh strapped during Saturday’s semifinal win over Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina and needed treatment for a right-side issue late on against Gauff.

Coco Guff celebrates winning a point.

Coco Gauff was outstanding in her straight-sets win over Iga Świątek. (Getty Images: Brett Hemmings)

Świątek ended the match in tears after leaving the court briefly following a marathon 10-minute eighth game in the second set, when Gauff pulled out all stops to break back for 4-4.

The Pole duly double-faulted on match point as Gauff rejoiced in posting a second straight triumph over her opponent, having lost 11 of their first 12 meetings.

While Świątek may enter the Australian Open under a fitness cloud, Gauff will arrive in Melbourne as the in-form player in women’s tennis.

The 21-year-old has won 17 of her past 20 matches, starting her run at the China Open before adding the WTA Finals crown to her collection.

Meanwhile, two-time defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka clinched a comeback victory in the Brisbane International final.

The world number one was under fire from hard-hitting qualifier Polina Kudermetova at Pat Rafter Arena on Sunday but quickly turned the tables to prevail 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

In the men’s final, a back complaint forced Reilly Opelka to retire after five games in the first set, handing Czech Jiří Lehečka the title.

AAP/ABC

Look back at how the action unfolded in the United Cup and Brisbane International finals in our live blog.

Key Events

  1. 6h ago6 hours agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 11:12am

  2. 7h ago7 hours agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 10:18am

  3. 8h ago8 hours agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 9:25am

6h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 11:27am

Thanks for your company!

By Luke Pentony

And that is where we are going to leave our coverage this evening.

Thanks for your company during the United Cup, Brisbane International, Canberra International and Auckland Open over the past 10 days.

We’re gearing up to cover the Australian Open in a week’s time, where we will have reporters on the ground at Melbourne Park, in addition to a daily blog.

We hope you can join us again.

For now, good night!

6h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 11:25am

United Cup: Gauff named finals MVP

By Luke Pentony

Coco Gauff yells out as she celebrates winning a point.
Coco Gauff was outstanding throughout the United Cup.(Getty Images)

Well done to Coco Gauff, who has claimed the United Cup finals MVP award.

Gauff was superb throughout the tournament.

Her straight-sets defeat of Iga Świątek in the final suggests she will be hard to beat the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne next Sunday.

6h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 11:12am

United Cup: Fritz seals US victory

By Luke Pentony

Taylor Fritz pumps his fist.
Taylor Fritz did the job in the men’s singles for the Americans.(AAP)

USA WINS!!

Taylor Fritz seals the deal for the US as it claims its second United Cup.

Fritz defeated Hubert Hurkacz in a thrilling men’s single rubber, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7/4).

Coco Gauff had earlier beaten Iga Świątek in the women’s singles match, 6-4, 6-4.

The twin victories gave the Americans an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the final.

Congratulations Team USA!

6h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 11:03am

United Cup: And to a tie-break we go

By Luke Pentony

Taylor Fritz has held served at 6-6, so …

We’re heading to a tie-break!

7h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 10:57am

United Cup: Tie-break on the cards, perhaps?

By Luke Pentony

Taylor Fritz plays a forehand.
Taylor Fritz has held serve in the third set.(Getty Images)

We’re not there just yet, but it feels like this match will be decided by a tie-break.

Taylor Fritz has just held serve and the score is 5-5.

When Hubert Hurkacz went 5-4 up on serve, an enormous chant of “Polska, Polska” reverberated around Ken Rosewall Arena.

A “USA, USA” war cry has also gone up — the atmosphere is electric in Sydney!

7h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 10:47am

United Cup: Third set between Fritz and Hurkacz evenly balanced

By Luke Pentony

It’s 4-4 in the third set, with games on serve.

Taylor Fritz looked shaky in his previous service game when Hurkacz got the score to deuce.

But the American served his way out of danger to level the set.

7h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 10:27am

United Cup: Third set proving to be a gripping contest

By Luke Pentony

Games are on serve early in the deciding set.

Taylor Fritz will serve at 1-2 in an attempt to level the set against Hubert Hurkacz, who seems full of running after winning the second.

7h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 10:18am

United Cup: Hurkacz forces deciding set

By Luke Pentony

Hubert Hurkacz plays a backhand.
Hubert Hurkacz got a service break when it matters most.(Getty Images)

We’re going to a third set!

Hubert Hurkacz has finally broken Taylor Fritz and what a time to do it.

He won the second set 7-5, just as it seemed we were heading towards a tie-break.

7h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 10:11am

Brisbane International: Sad to see Opelka retire

By Luke Pentony

Hello Luke, It’s a shame Reilly Opelka had to retire from the Brisbane final – I was looking forward to the big guy playing. On another note, thanks for your marathon blogging effort over the last week or so, you’ve had a few helping from time to time, but I reckon you will be dreaming in keystrokes by the end of this…

– Mike

I agree Mike, it would have been great to see Reilly Opelka at full fitness tonight.

And thanks for reading the blog, we appreciate having you on board!

8h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 9:52am

United Cup: Games on serve between Fritz and Hurkacz

By Luke Pentony

The second set could be headed to a tie-break, with Taylor Fritz and Hubert Hurkacz holding serve so far.

Fritz is serving at 2-3.

8h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 9:39am

Barbora Krejčíková pulls out of Australian Open

By Luke Pentony

(Getty Images)

Barbora Krejčíková, the world number 10 has pulled out of the Australian Open with a back injury.

She posted a note on social media saying she was looking forward to being back soon.

Loading Twitter content

“Hi everyone, I wanted to share a quick update regarding my withdrawal from the Australian Open,” she wrote.

“Unfortunately, my back injury, which troubled me at the end of last season, is still not fully healed.

“It’s really disappointing because I love playing in Melbourne and have such great memories from reaching the quarterfinals last year.

” Thanks to all of you for your support. I’m working hard to get back to full health, and I can’t wait to see you on the court soon!”

8h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 9:38am

Brisbane International: Opelka struck down with back issue

By Luke Pentony

Reilly Opelka sitting in his courtside chair.
Reilly Opelka was hampered by a back ailment in the final.(Getty Images)

Reilly Opelka has revealed it was a concern with his back that forced him to retire from the Brisbane International final.

“I’m bummed, I’ve been looking forward to play Jiri, when he had his breakthrough on Tour I was injured so I’ve been watching him from my couch at home.

“Unfortunately my back has been giving me some issues, the tournament doctor and ATP physio have been pretty unbelievable at throwing the kitchen sink at it, and we did, we worked on it literally all day but unfortunately it just wasn’t right enough to compete.”

It was clear in the five games that were completed that the American’s mobility was limited.

It was a wise decision to withdraw, given the Australian Open begins in a week, and we hope to see Opelka at Melbourne Park.

8h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 9:32am

United Cup: US a set away from winning final

By Luke Pentony

The US can see the United Cup trophy in sight …

Taylor Fritz has won the first set against Hubert Hurkacz 6-4.

Coco Gauff had earlier beaten Iga Świątek in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4 to give the Americans a 1-0 lead.

8h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 9:25am

Brisbane International: Opelka retires in final

By Luke Pentony

Not the news we wanted to bring …

Reilly Opelka has retired from the final while trailing Jiří Lehečka 1-4.

Opelka had not looked in great shape from the opening game and it’s unclear if it’s to do with the wrist concern he had in the semifinal.

Not the way Lehečka would have wanted to win the Brisbane title, but congratulations to the Czech.

8h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 9:15am

Brisbane International: Opelka drops opening service game

By Luke Pentony

There’s worrying early signs for Reilly Opelka in the men’s final in Brisbane.

The lanky American lost his opening service game to Jiří Lehečka, who leads 2-0 in the first set.

8h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 9:10am

United Cup: Fritz snares a service break

By Luke Pentony

Taylor Fritz plays a backhand return.
Taylor Fritz broke Hubert Hurkacz’s serve to lead 3-2.(AAP)

The momentum is with the US in the men’s singles rubber, with Taylor Fritz breaking Hubert Hurkacz’s serve in the fifth game.

The world number four leads his Polish opponent 3-2.

9h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 8:57am

Brisbane International: Lehečka facing Opelka

By Luke Pentony

Not long to go until Jiří Lehečka and Reilly Opelka begin the men’s final in Brisbane.

We’ll keep you posted of developments throughout the match.

9h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 8:50am

United Cup: Fritz, Hurkacz enter Ken Rosewall Arena

By Luke Pentony

Taylor Fritz and Hubert Hurkacz are going through their on-court warm-up in Sydney.

Should Fritz win, the US will claim its second United Cup trophy.

A Hurkacz victory will level the final at 1-1 and force a deciding rubber in the mixed doubles.

9h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 8:32am

United Cup: Gauff wins opening rubber for US

By Luke Pentony

Coco Gauff gives a high five after winning her singles match.
Coco Gauff enjoys that winning feeling.(AAP)

The US goes 1-0 in the final against Poland!

Coco Gauff has beaten Iga Świątek in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.

Leading 5-4, Gauff broke Świątek to clinch victory after the Pole double-faulted on the American’s second match point.

The men’s singles rubber will be up next, with the US hoping Taylor Fritz can prevail against Hubert Hurkacz to seal victory in the final.

9h agoSun 5 Jan 2025 at 8:28am

Brisbane International: Sabalenka wins ahead of Australian Open defence

By Luke Pentony

Aryan Sabalenka celebrates winning Brisbane International.
Aryna Sabalenka celebrates winning the Brisbane International final.(Getty Images)

SABALENKA WINS!

Two-time defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has defeated Polina Kudermetova in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Sabalenka didn’t have it her own way after dropping the first set to the Russian qualifier.

But the world number one shifted gears in the second set before closing out the win in the third.

It’s Sabalenka’s first Brisbane title after finishing runner-up last year.

A valiant effort from Kudermetova, who had qualified for the main draw.

She will enjoy a major rankings spike after arriving in Brisbane as the world number 107.