Poland Beats Australia 2-1 in United Cup Quarterfinals

Poland advanced to the semifinals of the United Cup on Friday by defeating host nation Australia 2-1 in a tense quarterfinal tie at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney. The match went to a deciding mixed doubles rubber after victories in the women's and men's singles for each team, securing the Poles a rematch against defending champions the United States in Saturday's last-four clash.

World number two Iga Swiatek set the tone for Poland with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over 19-year-old Australian Maya Joint in the women's singles. The six-time Grand Slam champion completed the straight-sets win in just 58 minutes, breaking Joint twice in each set to give Poland an early 1-0 lead. Swiatek appeared emotional during a brief changeover in the opening set but quickly composed herself, offering a thumbs-up to her team before extending her advantage to 4-1 and cruising to the finish. Joint, ranked 32nd, put up little resistance but remains on track for a seeded spot at next week's Australian Open in Melbourne.

Australia leveled the tie in the men's singles when world number six Alex de Minaur outlasted Poland's Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The match lasted over two hours, with de Minaur...