A new champion will be crowned at this year’s United Cup. Two-time finalists Poland avenged last year’s final defeat to the USA in a dramatic mixed doubles rubber and will hope to get over the final hurdle when they face a Belinda Bencic-inspired Switzerland in Sydney. Who will win the 2026 United Cup?

United Cup Final Prediction: Poland vs Switzerland
Iga Swiatek vs Belinda Bencic

Head-to-head: Swiatek 5-1 Bencic

The two top-ranked women for both nations will square off in the women’s singles match. Iga Swiatek was undefeated before the semifinals, winning all three singles matches. But against Coco Gauff, the World No. 2 came up short as she lost quite convincingly in straight sets. But defeat neither tarnished Swiatek nor Poland’s United Cup campaign this time as they completed a fine comeback in the men’s singles and mixed doubles matches to win the tie. Swiatek

While Switzerland possess a three-time Grand Slam champion in their ranks, it is Belinda Bencic who has done a lot of heavy lifting in the tournament. The 28-year-old had won just two singles matches in the United Cup before this year, but has doubled that tally in the space of eight days, with her latest win over Elise Mertens giving Switzerland a massive point in the tie, which they won in mixed doubles. Bencic was on double duty yet again, joining Jakub Paul and helping her team overcome Mertens and Zizou Bergs.

Poland will be the favorites to win the title. Bencic will need to shoulder the load if Switzerland are to have any hope. A more aggressive Bencic can hurt Swiatek, but the World No. 2’s movement should neutralize first strikes and reset points and set Poland on their way to victory.

Prediction: Swiatek in 3

Hubert Hurkacz vs Stan Wawrinka

Head-to-head: Hurkacz 1-0 Wawrinka

This is a dream start to Hubert Hurkacz’s comeback season. After spending seven months of the previous year recovering from knee surgery, Hurkacz has wasted no time in hitting the ground running, posting three out of four wins in singles and none more important than Saturday’s straight sets victory against Taylor Fritz that helped level the tie against the United States.

Stan Wawrinka’s farewell year on tour could still include one more title in his trophy cabinet. The 40-year-old legend has produced a series of eye-catching performances against opponents nearly two decades younger. While wins in the competition have been scarce, Wawrinka’s experience and presence in the team cannot be overlooked. That said, the three-time Major champion’s best tennis comes in waves, and the physical gap against a sharper version of Hurkacz should be noticeable.

Prediction: Hurkacz in 2

Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports