Hurkacz Tops Wawrinka, Linette Clinches City Final Spot For Poland

Tennis Australia

Hubert Hurkacz earned a critical win for Poland against Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka and Magda Linette's heroics delivered the crucial third point to book Poland a spot in the Brisbane City Finals at the United Cup. With Hurkacz's win giving Poland a 2-1 lead, Linette held off Jil Teichmann to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 to clinch the tie.

Poland will face Italy in the City Finals on Wednesday. The winner of the tie will advance to the United Cup Final Four in Sydney. The team with the best record among the runner-ups across Perth, Sydney, and Brisbane will also advance to the Final Four.

Hurkacz battled through a tense clash against the former World No. 3 Wawrinka 7-6(5), 6-4.

“Never had a chance before to play against Stan, so I was really looking forward for that match. He’s such a legend of the sport. I was watching him win the Grand Slams and now I can share the court with him, so that was a huge pleasure for me,” Hurkacz said. “Definitely a very big match. Obviously very happy to get a point for Team Poland, so I was really excited about it. It was a big point for us and we’ll keep fighting.” 

The stakes were high for Hurkacz and Wawrinka, with both players knowing the edge in Group B was hanging in the balance. Switzerland playing captain battled hard and the margins were fine, but World No. 10 Hurkacz found his best in the critical moments to triumph after one hour and 39 minutes.

Hurkacz made a quick start by immediately breaking Wawrinka’s serve. But once the 37-year-old Swiss revved up his engine, it seemed his firepower might help turn the tide of the match.

However, the three-time Grand Slam champion made a critical error at 3/3 in the first-set tie-break, which proved his undoing. Wawrinka double faulted, and Hurkacz took full advantage to close out the set.

At 3-3 in the second set, a serving Wawrinka hit a screaming backhand passing shot for a winner to avoid facing triple break point. While it was a vintage ‘Stan The Man’ moment reminiscent of his time at the top of the sport, the Swiss was unable to hold off the Hurkacz barrage forever.

The Pole earned a break point later in the game and changed his approach, moving into the net with a ball to Wawrinka’s forehand, which faltered under the pressure.

“I found my rhythm on serve towards the end of the match and definitely from the baseline I was hitting some better shots,” Hurkacz said. “It was a really, really important match and I’m happy that I was building my game through the whole match and it was a really tough battle.”

With a chance to close out the win and prevent the tie from being decided by the mixed doubles, World No. 48 Linette held her nerve to earn her first win over World No. 35 Teichmann. The two had played just once, at the 2021 Chicago 500, and the Swiss won in straight sets.

"I played against Jil and she smoked me the last time so I knew I had to bring my best tennis," Linette said. "I was so frustrated in the first set when I had a good lead and I didn't do a very good job, I wasn't focused enough. I'm really happy that I was able to reset after the first set and come back strong."

Linette jumped out to a 3-0 lead in both the first and second sets but Teichmann battling qualities kept the result in the balance until the final stages of the two-hour, 43-minute battle. Teichmann came through a monumental fifth game of the opening set to get back on serve and rattle the Pole. Linette grew frustrated after seeing her lead blown and Teichmann was able to secure a second break to complete the comeback.

Teichmann nearly pulled out a straight-sets win in the second set. Again Linette led by a break and again the Swiss pulled her back. She broke Linette as the Pole served for the set at 5-3. But this time Linette stood tall. She set aside her disappointment quickly and broke right back to force a decider.

The final set was a test of fitness and Teichmann paid for her two hours of running to stay level with Linette. Two tired double-faults from the 25-year-old Swiss gave Linette a 2-0 lead and she raced away to the win.

Despite the tie being out of reach, Belinda Bencic and Marc-Andrea Huesler fought hard for their country in the mixed doubles, battling past Alicja Rosolska and Kacper Zuk 7-5, 6-2. Poland claimed the tie 3-2.