Alexander Zverev-Led Germany Beat Iga Swiatek's Poland To Win United Cup

Alexander Zverev saved two match points in a gruelling three-set win over Hubert Hurkacz to help Germany upset top seeds Poland and clinch a maiden United Cup title in Sydney on Sunday. The world number seven kept the tie alive with his never-say-die 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 victory after top-ranked Iga Swiatek had swept past Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-0. Zverev returned to partner Laura Siegemund and seal the title with a 6-4, 5-7, 10-4 win over Swiatek and Hurkacz in the deciding mixed doubles.

"It was a matter of millimetres today for you guys (Poland) to be the champions," Zverev said at the presentation ceremony.

"To my team, it's been amazing and so much fun. I couldn't be happier."

Hurkacz and Zverev had not met since the 2021 ATP Finals, where the German was eventually crowned champion.

Both 26 years old and big servers, there were only small margins between them in the singles clash, with Hurkacz rising to the challenge in the first set tiebreak.

It went the distance again in the second set after the Pole saved two set points from Zverev at 5-6.

But this time, he lost his nerve in the tiebreak and blew two championship points as Zverev took it to a deciding set despite showing signs of fatigue.

With errors creeping in to Hurkacz's game, Zverev broke for a 4-3 lead in the third and, overcoming a bout of cramps, found a way to win.

"I was exhausted," said Zverev, with Germany's semi-final not finishing until 2.18am on Sunday.

"In the middle of the second set I was already exhausted and in the third set I was hanging on a lot of the time and somehow got the break," he added.

"Obviously mentally and physically, it was extremely difficult because playing three days in a row singles and mixed is tough."

- Really proud -