Poland are through to the United Cup quarterfinals after a day when two stars simply did their jobs and left the rest to chemistry.
After coming up just short in the previous tournaments, the nucleus of Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz again carried the nation, with Hurkacz clinching the group and Swiatek following through to lock the knockout spot for Poland.
How Poland Clinched Group F
In Rotterdam style pressure, Hubert Hurkacz beat Tallon Griekspoor to clinch Poland’s advancement as Group F winner and back up his return victory over Alexander Zverev, giving the squad a clear path to the quarterfinals.
Iga Swiatek then made the finish tidy, easing past Suzan Lamens in straight sets while showing improved court movement and decision making that suggested she was not taking the task lightly despite the team situation.
The pair have been the heart of Poland’s United Cup hopes since the event began and their combination of big serving and baseline precision turned a tight group into a fairly straightforward progression by the end of the day.
I was more precise with my footwork.
Iga Świątek
From Underdog Days To A Different Mindset
Swiatek has spoken previously about missing earlier career phases when she felt more like an underdog and less like a target, and that perspective feeds a different kind of motivation for her now as she balances individual expectations and team responsibilities.
The current iteration of this Polish side has learned to turn pressure into opportunity, so when Hurkacz delivered a key singles victory the rest of the dressing room felt permission to play freely and without the weight of must-win panic.
That dynamic showed on court where Swiatek’s improved footwork allowed sharper angles and easier recovery on defense, while Hurkacz’s serve took the sting out of tight moments and created short points to protect energy for the tie.
What The Knockout Spot Means Going Forward
Poland’s run into the quarters matters beyond national pride because the United Cup has become a proving ground for how teams manage star power, and their progress adds another chapter to the duo’s growing legacy in this competition.
Having come up one victory short in the past two United Cups, Poland will want to use this momentum to avoid a repeat disappointment and to show that the earlier near-misses were not the end but a step toward deeper runs.
From a tactical point of view the quarterfinals will demand consistency from Swiatek, who plays with the composure of a top player but still tightens everything up with better footwork, and Hurkacz, who will have to keep serving at a high level to tilt close encounters their way.
Expect opposing captains to plan around that combination: make a return strategy for Hurkacz’s big serve and try to drag Swiatek into longer exchanges, but know the Polish pair can flip the script quickly when their rhythm clicks.
The atmosphere around this squad suggests they are enjoying the work, and that energy matters in team tennis where momentum shifts can arrive in an instant and carry through entire match days, especially in front of supportive travel crowds.
On paper Swiatek remains a global standard at world No. 2 and Hurkacz offers match-level power that few teams can answer consistently, which makes Poland a legitimate threat as the draw tightens and the stakes climb.
There will be tests ahead and matchups that require different strategies, but after this day the Polish pair have reminded everyone that team competitions reward clarity, trust and the ability to deliver when the margin is thin.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
