Poland is the first team to reach the quarter finals at at the United Cup at the RAC Arena in Perth with a 2-1 win over Spain.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina came back from one set down in his 3-6 6-3 6-4 win over Hubert Hurkacz after 2 hours and 3 minutes to give Spain an early lead.
Davidovich Fokina won 74% of points on his second serve and won 55%on Hurkacz’s second serve.
Hurkacz earned the first break in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead and served out the first set on his third set point. Davidovich Fokina broke twice in the fourth and sixth games to win the second set 6-3. Hurkacz pulled one break back in the seventh game. Davidovich Fokina served out the second set with a hold at 30. Hurkacz saved a match point in the ninth game of the third set to hold serve at deuce. Davidovich Fokina served out the win on his first match point.
Davidovich Fokina now leads 4-2 in their six head-to-head match.
World number 1 Iga Swiatek claimed straight-set wins in singles and mixed doubles wins to help Poland claim a win over Spain
Swiatek cruised past Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2 6-1 to force the tie to the deciding match. The Polish player saved two break points in the third game and two more opportunities in the fifth game. Swiatek saved four break points before earning two consecutive breaks in the sixth and eighth games to seal the first set.
Sorribes Tormo got one game on the scoreboard after losing five consecutive games. The Spanish player saved four break points in the second game to draw level to 1-1. Swiatek earned two breaks in the sixth and eighth to win five consecutive games.
Swiatek and Hurkacz beat Sorribes Tormo and Davidovich Fokina 6-0 6-0 in the mixed doubles match. Swiatek and Hurkacz earned three breaks and did not face a single break point in both sets.
“I am trying to teach Hubert that he does not need a tie-break in every set”, said Swiatek.
