Hurkacz Defeats Zverev in United Cup Return

Hubert Hurkacz marked his return to competitive tennis with a decisive victory over world number three Alexander Zverev, defeating the German 6-3, 6-4 in a Group F match at the United Cup in Sydney on Monday. The 28-year-old Pole, playing his first tour-level event in seven months, fired 21 aces and held serve throughout to secure the win and give Poland a 1-0 lead over Germany.

Hurkacz, currently ranked 83rd, had not competed since June 2025, when he retired during a match in sHertogenbosch due to a persistent right knee injury. The issue originated at Wimbledon in 2024, where he damaged his meniscus while diving for a ball. He underwent arthroscopic surgery in July 2025 and ended his season early in September, dropping significantly in the rankings. His performance against Zverev showcased a return to form, with the Pole winning 85 percent of his first-serve points and facing just one break point in the 80-minute match. This marked his 20th career victory over a top-10 opponent.

"It's been a while since I've been competing, seven months," Hurkacz said on court afterward. "I've been going through difficult times with the team, and it was very challenging. They were all...