By Richard Pagliaro Saturday, January 10, 2026
Image source: Manchester United Cup Facebook
A tenacious performance in the tiebreaker helped Poland defeat the defending Fed Cup champions, the United States.
Jan Zielinski and Katarzyna Kava duel failed Christian Harrison and Coco Goff Today, the Polish team defeated the United States 7-6(5), 7-6(3) 2-1 at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Stadium to advance to the Fed Cup final.
“It’s hard to remember what happened,” Zielinski said. “It’s an incredible feeling. First of all, I have to pay tribute to Hubert Hurkacz… he was an inspiration to us all.”
Poland won all four sets in the decider today to avenge their 2025 final loss to the United States and will face Switzerland in tomorrow’s final.
The Polish team saved a set point in the first set and then two more when Gauff served in the second set.
“I’m very proud of our team,” Cava said. “It means a lot to us.”
Hubert Hurkacz defeated Taylor Fritz 7-6(1), 7-6(2) to avenge his third-set tiebreaker loss to the American No. 1 player in the 2025 final and give Poland a 1-0 lead.
Gauff then played his most dynamic tennis game of the season, defeating Swiatek 6-4, 6-2, tying the score at 1 and entering the decisive decider.
Talk about a shift in this rivalry.
Remember, Swiatek defeated Gauff in 11 of his first 12 matches, with all 11 wins coming in straight sets.
Since that ignominious start, Gauff has now won four straight games against Swiatek, including a 6-1, 6-1 sweep in Madrid last May and a 6-4, 6-4 victory in the 2025 Confederations Cup to close the gap to 11-5 in the mighty Pole’s favour.
Gauff set the tone today with his serve. Her serve hit rate was 75% and her first serve scoring rate was 73%.
Gauff broke serve first and the score was 3-1, then confirmed the break and the score was 4-1.
Swiatek, ranked second in the world, shined, scoring 12 points in a row to tie the score at 4. Gauff saved her first set point on Swiatek’s serve and took a one-set lead.
“I didn’t let those first two match point opportunities pass me by,” Gauff said. “She played well. Maybe there was a mistake on the backhand, but after that, she played better tennis, but I knew how I played the whole match and I was going to finish it.”
The Polish team showed tenacity in the first set and saved a set point. Then Kava issued a key hold to force the first set tie-break into a desperate situation.
Breaking serve, Zielinski scored consecutively and the Polish team led 3-1. Zielinski hit Goff with his body to help Poland lead 5-3.
Harrison broke the defense with a forehand winner in the middle and tied the score at 5. In the next set, Zielinski and Harrison engaged in a heated forehand exchange until Kawa’s poaching attempt spooked the American. Harrison tried to beat her at the line but missed a forehand, giving Poland set point.
Zielinski hit a backhand winner off Goff’s serve to give Poland a set lead.
In the second set, the mixed doubles fell into a 3-3 deadlock, and the American team stepped up its efforts to receive the ball in Kava’s serve.
After seeing Zilinski steal early, Gauff hit a forehand return winner to seal the love break and put the United States ahead 4-3.
Gauff held serve strongly at position 15, leading 5-3.
Harrison led 5-4 in the second set, but Kava hit two precise lobs near the baseline to give the Polish team break point. Harrison made a double fault at the end of the game, and the Polish team returned to the game with a score of 5 draws and 5 draws.
The American team broke Kawa 6-5 and then saved a double set point on Gauff’s serve, but failed to tie. On the second set point, Gauff was stunned and did not hit Zilinski’s return ball that fell on the baseline. Zielinski hit a backhand volley winner to break Poland’s serve, forcing the second set into a decider.
Kudos to Zielinski for his performance in the second set tiebreaker. Zielinski volleyed the winning goal and scored the first small goal for the Polish team, 2-1. Zielinski danced with his backhand and hit a forehand winner to give Poland a 4-2 lead.
Goff scored with a volley, and the Polish team won the match point 6-3.
Poland sealed the victory when Harrison’s forehand deflected wide.
