The United 2025 national team tournament is underway in the Australian cities of Sydney and Perth. On Wednesday, the Poles will play against the Czech Republic in the match to advance to the quarterfinals. Both teams defeated Norway 2:1 earlier in the group.
The competition with our southern neighbors will consist of the following meetings:
- Hubert Hurkacz (16th ATP) – Tomasz Machacz (25th)
- Iga Świątek (2nd WTA) – Karolina Muchowa (22nd)
- Probably Iga Świątek/Jan Zieliński or Iga Świątek/Hubert Hurkacz – Karolina Muchowa/Tomasz Machacz
If there is a draw after two singles matches, the mixed doubles match will decide everything. If the mixed doubles is decided before the match, changes in the lineups of both teams for the last match cannot be ruled out.
Read also: Świątek approached the microphone and it started
The hit of the Polish-Czech clash on New Year's Eve will be the match Świątki – Muchowa. The ladies have faced each other three times so far in official tournaments, and the balance is favorable for the Pole (2:1). The most important match was played on June 10, 2023. On that day, Świątek defeated her rival in the final. Roland Garros 6:2, 5:7, 6:4.
Dream finale in Paris
The beginning was perfect for the favorite. Two quick breaks and the first set was won 6:2. It seemed that our tennis player was probably heading for her second victory in a row on the courts in Paris. Especially since she was already leading 3-0 in the second game. Polish fans Those sitting in the stands of the Philippe Chatrier central court were already getting ready for the end of the match and for their favorite player to sign autographs.
And suddenly, when the score was 2:6, 0:3, Karolina Muchowa got up. She started playing more aggressively while still hitting everything. She made no mistakes, made up for the loss, and even took the lead 6:5. She broke our tennis player once again, and after using the third set ball, she brought the score to 1:1 in sets.
Polish fans were surprised by this turn of events, other viewers were happy that they would be able to follow the final duel longer. A duel that unexpectedly became extremely even. In the third set, the Czech did not think about stopping. She quickly took away the Pole's serve and jumped to 2-0. It is true that Świątek reacted and led to 3:3, but the ending was crazy again.
In the seventh game, the Polish tennis player was surprised by her opponent, who used a very varied playing style throughout the match. This is the showcase of Karolina Muchowa, who can not only serve well and play hard and flat. He is also at the net, on the volley, and plays slivers. She is a complete player, the only thing missing in her career so far is better health.
Muchowa broke Świątek again, leading to 4:3. I was sitting in the press tribune in the capital of France at the time and I remember the murmur of disbelief that could be heard from the side fansespecially Polish ones. The Czech found herself in a situation where she was only two games away from making a big surprise – defeating Iga Świątek on clay courts in Paris.
Muchowa was a hair's breadth away from winning. What will it be like in the United Cup?
And then our tennis player played a concert. Strong shots from left to right, taken the initiative, successful volley and immediate recovery. 4:4, and a moment later 5:4 and 6:4 for Iga Świątek. In the last three games, she played as befits a three-time champion from Paris. She didn't let the victory slip away.
After the last ball, Świątek crouched on the court, covered her face and started crying. She was finally able to release the emotions that had accompanied her throughout the entire meeting. An extremely difficult meeting that must have cost her a lot. A moment later, she approached Muchowa, who hugged her and congratulated her on her victory.
– Finale of the ages! – this is how the British Eurosport titled the shortcut from this match on its YouTube channel. The fight started at 15:10 and finished at 17:59. Sport.pl jurors in last year's edition of “The best of Iga” they chose the Polish fight against the Czech in Paris as the best spectacle with the participation of our tennis player in the entire 2023 season.
Fans tennis They hope that the upcoming clash between both players will be no less interesting. For them, playing in the United Cup is the last test before the Grand Slam tournament Australian Openwhich launches on January 12. The Poland – Czech Republic match starts on January 1 in Sydney at 0:30 Polish time.