Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz made winning starts to their 2026 campaigns.
28-year-old Hurkacz hadn’t played a match in seven months, but showed no signs of rust against the world number three Alexander Zverev.
In straight sets, Hurkacz defeated Zverev 6-3, 6-4, picking up his first win since June 11, 2025.
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Shortly after, Swiatek battled back to beat Eva Lys, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, to clinch the tie for Poland.
During their post-match press conference, Swiatek praised Hurkacz for his contributions.
Iga Swiatek says Hubert Hurkacz did great on his return from injury
One reporter asked Swiatek how difficult it is to come back from injury and play as well as Hurkacz did against Zverev.
“I think you need to just be brave, and that’s what Hubi did today,” she said.
“I think that he wasn’t thinking much about the break.
“He was just happy to be competing, and that’s what kind of gave him the energy.
“I feel like you can approach this in different ways.
“I think the best kind of approach is not to play with expectations, like, accept that you might feel a bit tense facing a break point or something, but it’s how you deal with this.
“I think Hubi did it great today. I was really impressed.”
“Thank you,” replied Hurkacz.
“No, really. I was, like, wow,” said Swiatek.
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“I had to really rush with my warm-up because you did so great. I was expecting, I don’t know, a long match.
“I don’t know why, because both guys play with these big serves. I thought when you broke him, like, wow, I should get ready.
“I was impressed and happy that Hubi is back.”
Hurkacz was keen to return the compliment on a good day for Team Poland.
“Thanks. Likewise, Iga [Swiatek]. Great job today,” he said.
“Let’s go, Poland!”
Poland won all three matches against Germany, sending them top of Group F.
Poland vs Germany (2026 United Cup)
- Hubert Hurkacz defeated Alexander Zverev (Poland 1-0 Germany)
- Iga Swiatek defeated Eva Lys (Poland 2-0 Germany)
- Katarzyna Kawa/Jan Zielinski defeated Laura Siegemund/Alexander Zverev (Poland 3-0 Germany)
Group F standings
| Position | Team | Ties W-L | Matches W-L | Sets W-L | Games W-L |
| 1 | Poland | 1-0 | 3-0 | 6-1 (86%) | 40-33 (55%) |
| 2 | Germany | 1-1 | 3-3 | 7-6 (54%) | 66-54 (55%) |
| 3 | Netherlands | 0-1 | 0-3 | 0-6 (0%) | 14-37 (27%) |
They can seal their place in the quarterfinals when they take on the Netherlands in their final group stage match.
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Swiatek and Hurkacz will be expected to make light work of their Dutch opponents when they return.
- Match 1 – Hubert Hurkacz vs Tallon Griekspoor
- Match 2 – Iga Swiatek vs Suzan Lamens
- Match 3 – TBD
Provided they don’t slip up, Poland will qualify for their fourth consecutive United Cup quarterfinal.
Since the event’s first edition in 2023, Poland have been one of the most consistent sides in the competition, but have yet to lift the trophy.
Going unbeaten in their group in 2023, they qualified for the quarterfinals, where they met Italy.
Swiatek and Hurkacz won the deciding doubles to clinch the tie 3-2, booking a semifinal place.
Unfortunately for the Poles, it was there that their run would come to an end, suffering a comprehensive 5-0 defeat to the eventual champions, Team USA.
Returning a year later, Hurkacz and Swiatek were clinical in the group, sealing their spot in the quarterfinals.
3-0 wins over China and France followed, as they advanced to their maiden United Cup final.
They couldn’t quite get over the line, though, losing 2-1 to Germany.
Poland were excellent en route to the final again in 2025, beating Czechia, Norway, Great Britain, and Kazakhstan, to set up a rematch with the United States.
It wasn’t to be, though, as Swiatek lost to Coco Gauff and Hurkacz lost to Taylor Fritz.
Team Poland’s record at the United Cup
- 2023 United Cup – Lost in SF to USA (5-0)
- 2024 United Cup – Lost in F to Germany (2-1)
- 2025 United Cup – Lost in F to USA (2-0)
Only time will tell if they can go one better and win their first title in 2026, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.
Not wanting to get ahead of themselves, Poland will first turn their attention to the Netherlands, who they will play on Wednesday, January 7.
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