Poland have taken a 1-0 lead in their United Cup semi-final against Kazakhstan after Hubert Hurkacz crushed Alexander Shevchenko 6-3 6-2 in Sydney.
Hurkacz lost to Casper Ruud and Tomas Machac during the group stage, but has been on fire since. The world No 16 defeated Billy Harris in straight sets during Poland’s quarter-final win over Great Britain and then swept aside Shevchenko in just 57 minutes at Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday.
Poland will secure a spot in the United Cup final if world No 2 Iga Swiatek defeats world No 6 and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the women’s singles. Hurkacz sent down 10 aces to one during his dominant display.
“Definitely the last match here gave me a little bit of confidence,” Hurkacz said. “From every single match I’m playing better and better. I’m happy with my performance.”
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In Saturday’s other semi-final, the top-seeded US pairing of Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff will start as hot favourites against Czechia’s Tomas Machac and Karolina Muchova.
