United Cup SF preview: USA v Poland, Belgium v Switzerland | ATP Tour
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United Cup SF preview: USA v Poland, Belgium v Switzerland
If Poland beats the USA, a new winner will be crowned on Sunday
January 09, 2026
TENNIS AUSTRALIA
Stan Wawrinka and Coco Gauff both play in the semi final on Saturday in Sydney.
By ATP staff
Hubert Hurkacz and Iga Swiatek reached the semi-finals of the United Cup with a point to prove on Saturday in Sydney.
In last year’s final, Taylor Fritz hit a stoppage time finish to claim the title for Team USA after Coco Gauff beat Swiatek – spoiling Poland’s bid for the trophy. If Hurkacz and Swiatek can get their revenge this time, they will ensure that a new name is engraved on the cup on Sunday.
In the first match of the day, three-time champion Stan Wawrinka will aim to add another memorable chapter to the start of his farewell season when Team Switzerland meets Team Belgium. Belinda Bencic, unbeaten in singles and mixed doubles, faces Elise Mertens before Wawrinka takes on Zizou Bergs later in the tie.
Your last four are confirmed 🤝
What a day we are having! Who do you think will make it to the finals? pic.twitter.com/catClF5jfr
– United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 9, 2026
USA vs. Poland [5:30 p.m.]The opening match pits two former WTA Finals winners and rivals – Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff – against each other, with Swiatek looking to extend her perfect 3-0 run at this year’s United Cup.
Swiatek has been outstanding in Poland, producing respectable game-winning hits and helping his team reach the semis for the fourth time in a row. When Gauff lost to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the group stage, she was in the middle of the United States defending her title.
Fritz and Hurkacz will rekindle their rivalry in a story-filled game. Fritz holds a 4-2 Lexus ATP Head2Head lead, while Hurkacz has been a threat this week following his return from knee surgery, producing one of the tournament’s biggest upsets with a straight-sets win over World No. 3 Alexander Zverev.
With both teams full of explosives and history, this team carries a strong theme of revenge: Swiatek and Hurkacz aiming to end the previous disappointment against the American enemies who lifted the cup in Sydney last season.
Switzerland vs. Belgium [10 a.m.]Bencic has been the catalyst for Switzerland’s run, going undefeated in three singles matches and partnering Jakub Paul for mixed doubles victories – two of them in deciding rubbers. The 28-year-old will be looking to level her rivalry with Elise Mertens, who claimed their first meeting, although Bencic is well aware that the tie could once again depend on the two pairings.
“He’s a very good two-way player right now,” Bencic said of Paul. “I knew how well he could play. It’s a lot of fun on the field. He really helps me a lot. Stan, really, coaches us well. We have a lot of energy on the field.”
Wawrinka, who logged more than seven and a half hours in Perth (one win, two losses), opted for another rest day on Friday after arriving in Sydney. With extreme heat predicted, the tie has been moved forward 30 minutes to the 10am start, and the 40-year-old will need to be fully refreshed for his clash with Bergs.
“It’s going to be really hot and humid,” Wawrinka told ATPTour.com in Sydney. “The good thing is that there is a roof, so the sun will not be directly on us. We are expecting really tough conditions, but we are ready. It will be the same for us and Belgium, and I think it will be a big fight.”
Bergs is brimming with confidence after a straight sets victory over World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime and No. 18 Jakub Mensik on his way to the semifinals, the first time in his career that he has beaten a top 20 opponent in consecutive matches.
