Poland topple Czech Republic and reach United Cup quarter-finals
The group phase of the United Cup 2025 came to an end on Wednesday. A decisive clash for qualification took place between Poland and the Czech Republic.
The two nations had both won their opening matches against Norway and had to settle for first place.
The first match saw Hubert Hurkacz and Tomas Machac go head-to-head.
Defeated by Ruud in the singles in the first match, the Pole wanted to react against a player capable of causing problems for many players on the circuit.
Well concentrated, the world's 25th-ranked player came out on top after a two-hour battle (7-5, 3-6, 6-4) to give his team the lead.
After Hurkacz's defeat, Iga Swiatek was under pressure going into her match against Karolina Muchova.
In a rematch of the Roland-Garros 2023 final, the world number 2 didn't flinch and set the record straight (6-3, 6-4).
It was the decisive mixed doubles that decided the fate of both teams in the competition.
Teaming up for the first time in the tournament, Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz were more solid, turning the match on its head against the Karolina Muchova/Tomas Machac pair (7-6, 6-3).
Reigning finalists Poland are back in the quarter-finals, but their opponents are not yet known.
The Czech Republic's future will depend on the outcome of their final group matches, the outcome of which is not yet known.