Coco Gauff has beat Iga Swiatek in a high-quality match at the United Cup in Sydney. Gauff’s victory delivered a 1-0 lead to Team USA in the competition, with Taylor Fritz expanding this lead with a victory over Hubert Hurkacz. Swiatek currently leads 11-3 against Gauff, but the American has won in their last two encounters. Gauff’s improvements to her forehand and serve, supported by new grip expert Matt Daly, were noticeable as she expertly maneuvered Swiatek’s heavy forehand.
Swiatek was hampered by an injury to her left thigh as she struggled in the final two games. This is a separate issue from the right-thigh injury she’s been playing with since defeating Britain’s Katie Boulter. Although the final games were somewhat anticlimactic due to Swiatek’s injury, the rest of the match was dramatically engaging. Swiatek managed a slight lead multiple times, but on the whole made more unforced errors than Gauff during the competition.
Gauff’s victory has left her with renewed self-assurance as she heads into her still lopsided rivalry with Swiatek. Being a break up in both sets of this match gave Swiatek a missed opportunity and motivation for the remainder of the 2025 season. Gauff made a statement of her abilities and confidence, projecting herself as one of the best players in the world.
Following Gauff’s match, Hubert Hurkacz had a 2-0 lead at the start of the third-set tiebreak against Taylor Fritz. Fritz, who reached his maiden Grand Slam final at the previous year’s U.S. Open and reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 in the world, managed a comeback. Hurkacz was found wanting in two crucial baseline exchanges and misread the situation, giving Fritz an advantage.
Team USA’s victories by Gauff and Fritz secured their second United Cup title. The team had won the inaugural 2022 tournament, with the competition against Italy. Poland, on the other hand, have reached the final twice, only to fall short both times, marking a disappointing pattern.
The high-quality match in Sydney has given both players food for thought as they reflect on their play and look ahead to the rest of the 2025 season. This victory is a significant step in the right direction for Gauff, whose ongoing rivalry with Swiatek will be a spectacle to watch in the world of tennis. The persistence of both American players ensures the United States’ standing at the United Cup and poses an exciting prospect for future matches.
