Coco Gauff dazzled with an electrifying performance against Iga Swiatek, propelling Team USA to a stunning triumph at the United Cup on Sunday in Sydney. Gauff sealed a convincing 6-4, 6-4 victory over the Polish star in a grueling battle that lasted 1 hour and 51 minutes, sending a resounding signal as players prepare for the Australian Open in come.
Great American server Taylor Fritz followed suit, delivering the title to the United States by defeating Hubert Hurkacz of Poland with a thrilling score of 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7/4). The victory sparked jubilant celebrations as the Americans won the mixed team title for the second time in three years following their inaugural victory in 2023.
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For Poland, it was a case of déjà vu, having also stumbled at the last step last year against Germany.
Gauff’s victory marked her second consecutive victory over Swiatek, having previously triumphed against the former world number one at the WTA Finals in Riyadh on her way to the title. She has been in phenomenal form, winning all six of her matches this week, in both singles and doubles.
The match concluded in dramatic fashion when Swiatek double-faulted on match point, allowing Gauff to seal the result at 4-5, 30-40 in the second set. “I believe I’m one of the best players in the world, and when I’m playing at my best, it’s hard to beat me,” Gauff said modestly after being named player of the tournament.
Heading into the first Grand Slam of the year next Sunday, Gauff, 20, remains undefeated in singles since losing to world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals in Wuhan in October and is brimming with confidence. “Today I played great tennis, and I’m just happy to contribute a point for my team. It was tough, I’m not going to lie,” she admitted.
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With Gauff’s victory bringing the United States one step closer to the title, Fritz took to the court and delivered under pressure, winning a tense tiebreak in the third set. “It was a fantastic week,” commented Fritz. “They are an extremely difficult team, and the margins are tiny,” he reflected after a match dominated by serves, which included an impressive 30 aces and just three break points.
Before Gauff’s match, Swiatek called a medical timeout while trailing 5-4 in the second set to treat a concerning left thigh injury that had troubled her throughout the event in Sydney. After the loss, a tearful Swiatek left the court, but made a triumphant return, laughing and joking during the trophy ceremony.
The unstoppable Gauff, who has not lost a single set in her five singles matches, enters the Australian Open ranked third in the world. She achieved remarkable singles victories against notable players such as Leylah Fernandez, Donna Vekic, Zhang Shuai, Karolina Muchova and Swiatek during the United Cup.
As for Fritz, who is currently at a personal record ranking of number four, he certainly faltered in his first match against Felix Auger-Aliassime, but he recovered to achieve a good series with four consecutive victories.
Stay tuned for more updates from the exciting world of tennis!
