United Cup 2026 Final: Preview, Schedule and Results
Updated on: January 11, 2026 Venue: Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney
The 2026 United Cup has reached its climax, and the script could not be more dramatic. On Sunday, January 11, the Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney will host a showdown between two nations with vastly different narratives.
On one side stands Poland, the perennial powerhouse seeking redemption. Having finished as runners-up in both 2024 (to Germany) and 2025 (to the United States), the Polish squad led by Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz is desperate to finally lift the trophy in their third consecutive final appearance.
On the other side is Switzerland, the gritty underdogs who have scraped through deciders to reach this stage. Their run is fueled by an emotional narrative: the potential “last dance” for 40-year-old legend Stan Wawrinka, who has announced his plans to retire later this year, and the remarkable resilience of Belinda Bencic.
2026 United Cup Final Schedule
| Match | Category | Poland (POL) | vs | Switzerland (SUI) | Time (Approx) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Women’s Singles | Iga Świątek | vs | Belinda Bencic | 5:30 PM | 6-3, 0-6, 3-6 |
| 2 | Men’s Singles | Hubert Hurkacz | vs | Stan Wawrinka | Not before 7:00 PM | 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 |
| 3 | Mixed Doubles | Katarzyna Kawa / Jan Zielinski | vs | Belinda Bencic / Jakub Paul | Followed by | 6-4, 6-3 |
Match Previews: A Clash of Styles
WS: Iga Świątek vs. Belinda Bencic
The final kicks off with a blockbuster clash. World No. 2 Iga Świątek enters this match looking to bounce back from a stinging straight-sets defeat to Coco Gauff in the semifinals. While Świątek has historically dominated the tour, Bencic is one of the few players with the tactical game to trouble her.
Bencic, the Tokyo Olympic gold medalist, has been the anchor for the Swiss team, winning a nail-biting three-set battle against Elise Mertens in the semifinals. Swiatek leads their head-to-head record, but Bencic’s flat hitting and ability to take the ball early can rush the Pole. For Poland to avoid an early deficit, Swiatek must rediscover her rhythm and aggression immediately.
MS: Hubert Hurkacz vs. Stan Wawrinka
The second rubber features a battle of generations. Hubert Hurkacz, fresh off a clutch tie-break masterclass against Taylor Fritz in the semis, brings one of the biggest serves on tour. He will look to keep points short and dictate play with his “serve-plus-one” combos.
Across the net is the 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka. The three-time Grand Slam champion may have lost his singles rubber in the semifinals to Zizou Bergs, but his trademark one-handed backhand remains a potent weapon. Wawrinka will need to turn this into a physical battle and move Hurkacz around the court. If Hurkacz serves well, he is the heavy favorite, but Wawrinka’s experience in big finals cannot be discounted.
XD: The Decider?
If the tie is locked at 1-1, it will come down to mixed doubles. Poland showed incredible depth in the semifinals by fielding specialists Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zieliński, who delivered the winning point against the USA. Switzerland, conversely, relied on Bencic partnering with Jakub Paul to win a dramatic super-tiebreak against Belgium.
While the schedule lists the stars (Świątek/Hurkacz vs. Bencic/Wawrinka), expect Poland to potentially sub in their specialists again if it goes to the wire, whereas Switzerland will likely ride the hot hand of Bencic.
How They Got Here: Semifinal Recaps
Both teams survived heart-stopping semifinals on Saturday to book their tickets to the final.
Poland def. United States (2-1) In a rematch of the 2025 final, Poland exacted revenge on the defending champions.
- Hubert Hurkacz set the tone with a steely performance, defeating Taylor Fritz 7-6(1), 7-6(2) in a match dominated by serving dominance.
- Coco Gauff leveled the tie for the USA with a stunning 6-4, 6-2 upset over Iga Świątek, out-hitting the Pole from the baseline.
- In the deciding mixed doubles, the Polish duo of Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zieliński held their nerve to edge out Gauff and Christian Harrison 7-6(5), 7-6(3), sending Poland to their third straight final.
Switzerland def. Belgium (2-1) Switzerland’s path was equally perilous.
- Belinda Bencic fought past Elise Mertens in a grueling encounter, winning 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(0).
- Zizou Bergs kept Belgium alive by defeating veteran Stan Wawrinka 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3, utilizing his youth and athleticism to outlast the Swiss legend.
- The tie came down to a frantic mixed doubles super-tiebreak, where Bencic and Jakub Paul rallied to defeat Mertens and Bergs 6-3, 0-6, [10-5], sealing the victory in spectacular fashion.
Prediction
Poland enters as the favorite on paper, boasting higher-ranked singles players. However, the pressure of losing two consecutive finals weighs heavily on them. If Bencic can pull off an upset in the opener, the pressure on Hurkacz will be immense. Ultimately, Poland’s depth in mixed doubles—proven by Kawa and Zieliński—gives them the slight edge.
Prediction: Poland defeats Switzerland 2-1 to win their first United Cup title.
