Zverev beats Hurkacz in thriller to send United Cup final to a mixed doubles decider

Poland’s Iga Swiatek reacts during her match against Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the final of the United Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

SYDNEY (AP) — Reigning Olympic champion Alexander Zverev saved two match points in a remarkable comeback to beat Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in an epic three-setter and send the United Cup final into a deciding mixed doubles match on Sunday.

The sixth-ranked Zverev showed plenty of stamina in returning from the previous night’s early morning finish to rally from a set down and two match points and defeat the No. 9-ranked Hurkacz 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in a three-hour epic at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney.

Poland’s Iga Swiatek, left, is congratulated by Germany’s Angelique Kerber following her win in the final of the United Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Zverev was playing his fifth game in three days, including a 2.20 a.m. local time finish on Sunday in Germany’s marathon semifinal victory over Australia where he was a member of the team that clinched the mixed doubles, and the tie, in a super tiebreaker.

Poland’s Iga Swiatek plays a backhand return to Germany’s Angelique Kerber during the final of the United Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Earlier, top-ranked Iga Swiatek gave her Poland team an early lead with a straight-sets win against Angelique Kerber.

Thre 22-year-old Swiatek beat Kerber 6-3, 6-0 in 70 minutes to stretch her win-streak to 16 matches, after the four-time major winner finished 2023 with title wins at the China Open and the WTA Finals in Mexico.

Swiatek’s victory meant Poland needed just one more win from the remaining mens singles or mixed doubles match to claim the United Cup.

Hurkacz appeared to have Poland well on the way for its maiden team title as he led Zverev by a set and 6-4 in the second set tiebreaker.

Germany’s Angelique Kerber plays a backhand return to Poland’s Iga Swiatek during the final of the United Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Somehow Zverev found the energy and a superb running cross-court forehand that clipped the line to keep Germany in the tie.

He then served out the second set to level the match and clinched the deciding set with a break in the third game to close out a thrilling contest in just under three hours.

“I mean, also I saved a match for hitting a passing shot this much on the line,” Zverev said. “So this is how tennis goes sometimes. You win and lose by millimetres sometimes.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev plays a backhand return to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz during the final of the United Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

“And today I was lucky enough, in a way, but obviously it’s not over yet.”

Germany beat Australia in a memorable tie that saw all three matches go to deciding sets and did not conclude until early Sunday morning.

Earlier, Kerber, who saved two match points against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in the semifinal on the way to her first singles win since returning from the birth of her first child, provided a stern test for Swiatek in a tight opening set.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev celebrates after defeating Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the United Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

The former top-ranked player had break point opportunities on Swiatek’s serve in the fourth and sixth games but was unable to convert as the Polish player scrambled through to hold.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev celebrates after defeating Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the United Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

The 22-year-old Swiatek took her opportunity to seize the advantage in the seventh game and clinched the set in 48 minutes.

Swiatek stepped up a gear in the second as she broke the three-time major winner three times to close out her fifth consecutive win this week and leave Poland just one win away from a maiden team event title.

Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz plays a backhand return to Germany’s Alexander Zverev during the final of the United Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

“I’m really proud of myself that I could win all my singles,” Swiatek said post-match. ”(Kerber) was really picking the right spot to play and she surprised me sometimes at the beginning of the set with her decision making and choices.

“I knew that she could play like that, but I didn’t have much time to get into the rhythm because she was really aiming for, sometimes, these balls inside-out, and it was pretty hard.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev plays a forehand return to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz during the final of the United Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

“But I’m happy that I felt it and with the ball change, I felt like my game can be more dynamic, and I just pushed Angelique a bit more after it was four-three.”

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