Match example
De Minaur braces for Hurkacz test in United Cup QF
Team Australia will face two-time defending finalist Team Poland in Sydney on Friday
January 8, 2026
Alex de Minaur leads Hubert Hurkacz 2-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
By Jerome Coombe
Will Alex de Minaur be the next player to be caught in the United Cup from Hubert Hurkacz serving a barrage when the pair meet in Sydney on Friday?
The 28-year-old Pole has made an emphatic return from a seven-month injury layoff, firing 21 aces in each of his straight-set wins over world number 3 Alexander Zverev and Tallon Greekpoor. Backed by teammate Iga Swiatek – who also won both of her singles matches – Team Poland, a two-time defending runner-up, has advanced to its third straight quarter-final.
Standing in their way are home favorite Team Australia, led by De Minaur and 19-year-old rising star Maya Joint. The match will start at 5:30 PM local time with the women’s singles.
De Minaur can take confidence from his 2-1 Lexus ATP Head2Head lead over Hurkacz, including a victory in their most recent meeting in Indian Wells last year. Hurkacz has since undergone knee surgery and competes as No. 85 in the PIF ATP Rankings, but his performances in Sydney have underlined why he is a former Top 10 player.
After reaching the semifinals of the Nitto ATP Finals in November, De Minaur opened his 2026 campaign with a straight sets loss to Casper Ruud. However, he quickly recovered against the Czech Republic and performed double duty to propel Australia to the quarter-finals. Hurkacz is well aware of the challenge ahead.
“Alex has been very successful in recent years,” Hurkacz said of De Minaur, who is ranked sixth in the world. “He’s very fast and moves incredibly well around the field. It’s going to be a good challenge, especially with the Australian crowd. It’s going to be a lot of fun and I’m excited for the match.”
Ace machine 😮💨
Of course Hubi gets ours @Nexo #serveoftheday!#nexo pic.twitter.com/8tQYNUTm1d
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 7, 2026
Swiatek needed just 66 minutes to dispatch Joint in their only previous meeting in Seoul last September, but the six-time champion is taking nothing for granted. While the Australian teenager will have strong home support, Swiatek may have won over a few local fans with her glowing assessment of Sydney following her three-set victory against Eva Lys on Monday.
“I love being here,” Swiatek said. “I could really live here. I love Sydney. I wasn’t sure, but I think it’s becoming my favorite city in the world. I really enjoy it here.”
If the singles matches are split, the tie will be decided by a mixed doubles match.
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