The United States did not pretend. They took this United Cup seriously by fielding the strongest possible team in terms of singles with the double presence of Coco Gauff, recent winner of the Women’s Masters and world number 3, and Taylor Fritz, finalist of the last US Open and 4th at ATP. It was heavy on paper and it was confirmed on the ground. On Saturday, the mixed tennis version of Team USA took over the Czech Republic to return to the final, two years later.
On the last step of this long ten-day marathon, the United States will receive in the final the response of Poland which was also expected with Iga Swiatek at its head, assisted by Hubert Hurkacz. Unhappy finalists last year against Germany, the Poles will this time try to go all the way. On Saturday, they made short work of Kazakhstan (3-0), with the convincing success of Swiatek against Elena Rybakina (7-6, 6-4).
One week before the start of the Australian Open, Swiatek is already in Grand Slam mode since, after Rybakina, she will challenge Coco Gauff on Sunday. Both have a common goal this season: to take (or take back in the case of Swiatek) the place of world number one from Aryna Sabalenka. “It’s the ideal preparation for the Australian Open” said the four-time winner of Roland-Garros about the United Cup. After a few months since the end of August disrupted by a positive doping test which earned her a month’s suspension, she seems, at least on the surface, to have turned the page.
Gauff like at the Masters?
The United States remains the favorites. Taylor Fritz suffered on Saturday against Tomas Machac but the Czech ended up giving up at the end of the second set, victim of cramps in the humid Sydney heat and his irritation after missing two match points at 5-2. “It’s great to be back in the finaljudged the American. It was a crazy match, very physical (against Machac) and it’s not the way I wanted to win but, yes, I’m happy that we are in the final again.”
“I have great confidence in Taylor, confided Coco Gauff for her part. He’s a great player and he has a great mindset and that’s something that means a lot to me.” They played together in mixed doubles at the Paris Olympics last summer, losing in the quarter-finals and in the event of a tie in the United Cup, they are ready to do it again in the deciding doubles.
But it is first and foremost in herself that the young American has confidence. Including when it comes time to find Iga Swiatek. Because even if she is still largely behind (11-2) in her direct confrontations with the Pole, her convincing victory in the semi-final of the last Masters (6-3, 6-4) could well change the situation. “I was very confident in Riyadh, explains Gauff. When I am confident, I play my best tennis. This makes it difficult for her or anyone to really do anything against me. So Sunday I’m just going to come on the court and believe in myself“.
