TWO years after winning the inaugural United Cup, the United States are champions again, this time sentencing Poland to being the bridesmaid for a second successive year. Both Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz overcame their respective opponents Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz to lift the title.

It was an unbelievable carnival from the number one seeds who only dropped one match all tournament. Talented young gun Gauff turned the tables on a lob-sided 2-11 head-to-head with Swiatek to win 6-4 6-4 and give her side the go-ahead match win.

Gauff served four aces to nil and won 74 per cent of her first serve points compared to Swiatek’s 55 per cent, while the Pole also served five double faults in an inaccurate an inconsistent serving display. The world number two still broke Gauff three times from as many chances, but the American generated eight opportunities and claimed five breaks of serve to secure the match.

Swiatek took a controversial medical timeout at 4-5 down in the second set after being broken to get some work done on her leg. Once the players returned, Gauff had not lost any focus or determination, and served out the match to win in an hour and 52 minutes.

“I have the belief that I’m one of the best players in the world and when I play good tennis I’m hard to beat,” Gauff said post-match. “Today I think I played some great tennis. I’m glad I was able to get a point for Team USA. It was tough today, I’m not gonna lie.”

Fritz looked to be in control against Hurkacz after winning the first set and leading in the second, before the Polish hard-hitter turned it around to win the second set and continued that momentum in the third. However Fritz remained steady, and forced Hurkacz to play a little more passively, forcing a tiebreaker which he won 7-4 for an overall victory over 6-4 5-7 7-6.

In a battle of two big serves, Hurkacz produced four more aces (17-13), while Fritz marginally had a higher first serve percentage (82 to 80 per cent). However there was nothing between the pair – literally – as they each won 96 points for the match. Both players broke once from a combined three opportunities.

The victory marked Fritz’s second United Cup title, having been part of the team for his nation’s success in 2023 alongside Jessica Pegula. All four players will now prepare fo the Australian Open starting on January 12.