Poland and Australia will contest the last quarterfinal of the United Cup 2026 on Day 8 (Friday, January 9). The winner of this showdown will meet defending champions USA in the semifinals.
The Americans were the first team to make the semis, advancing courtesy of a 2-1 win over Greece on Wednesday. Switzerland were the second team to qualify following their 2-1 win over Argentina. They will face the winner of the tie between Belgium and Czechia on Thursday.
Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz have led the Polish charge at the tournament, while Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint have done the same for the Aussies. As the two teams are set to collide, here’s a look at the predictions for matches between Poland and Australia on Day 8 of the United Cup:
#1. Iga Swiatek vs Maya Joint
Swiatek was put through the wringer by Germany’s Eva Lys in her very first match of the United Cup. She fought from a set down to beat her rival 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Her team eventually beat the Germans 3-0. She was back to her dominant best in her next group tie, beating Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands 6-3, 6-2. The win set the stage for another 3-0 sweep by Poland.
Joint didn’t take part in her team’s first tie against Norway, which they won 2-1. She lost to Czechia’s Barbora Krejcikova in her next match. She has never beaten a top 10 player in her career, and could only win two games against Swiatek in their only prior meeting. The Pole is likely to win this contest without breaking a sweat as well.
Pick: Iga Swiatek to win in straight sets.
#2. Hubert Hurkacz vs Alex de Minaur
After missing most of the 2025 season due to an injury, Hurkacz is back with a vengeance this year. He beat Alexander Zverev and Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets to help his team qualify for the United Cup quarterfinals. De Minaur lost his first group tie against Casper Ruud, and then scored a 6-4, 6-1 win over Jakub Mensik.
De Minaur leads their rivalry 2-1, and won their most recent meeting at the Indian Wells Masters 2025 6-4, 6-0. However, if Hurkacz maintains his current form, then he will be the favorite to one-up the Aussie this time.
Pick: Hubert Hurkacz to win in straight sets.
#3. Iga Swiatek/Hubert Hurkacz vs Storm Hunter/John-Patrick Smith
While they haven’t played together in this edition of the United Cup, Swiatek and Hurkacz have done so previously in the past. They have a 5-1 record, with their only loss coming in the final of the 2024 edition.
While Hunter and Smith are doubles specialists, they’ll still be the underdogs against Swiatek and Hurkacz. It is pertinent to note that mixed doubles match-ups change at the last minute, so any of the four players could be replaced. However, if the line-up remains the same, then the Poles will be favored to come out on top.
Pick: Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets.
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