Swiatek repeated her straight-sets victory over Swiatek at the WTA Finals in November with a steely 6-4 6-4 victory over the five-time grand slam champion at Ken Rosewall Arena on Sunday night.
Both stars had been unbeaten in their first four singles rubbers this campaign but something had to give when the second and third-ranked women's players clashed.
Swiatek was contesting her first official event since serving a one-month doping ban after the season-ending championship, and the twin duties of playing singles and mixed doubles for Poland may have taken a physical toll.
The former world No.1 had her left thigh strapped during Saturday night's semi-final win over Elena Rybakina and needed treatment for a right-side issue late in the loss to Gauff.
Swiatek ended the match in tears after leaving the court briefly following a marathon 10-minute eighth game in the second set, when Gauff pulled out all stops to break back for 4-4.
TOO GOOD FROM GAUFF 🔥— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) @CocoGauff | #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/KzgW6w3ueDJanuary 5, 2025
The 23-year-old duly double-faulted on match point as Gauff rejoiced in posting a second straight triumph over Swiatek, having lost 11 of their pair's first 12 meetings.
"I think it's just confidence," the world No.3 said of her turnaround in fortunes.
"I have the belief that I'm one of the best players in the world and, when I play good tennis, it's hard for me (to lose).
"And today I think I played great tennis and I'm happy to get a point on my board for Team USA."
While Swiatek may enter the Australian Open starting on January 12 under somewhat of a fitness cloud, Gauff will arrive in Melbourne as the hottest player in women's tennis.
The 21-year-old has won 17 of her past 20 matches, including winning the China Open before the WTA Finals crown.
Iga Swiatek will head into the Australian Open with her fitness in some doubt. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
"I just realised the worst thing that can happen today is that I lose," Gauff said of her positive mindset.
"And especially in this type of format, even if I lose, we still have a chance to win.
"So I'm just going to give myself my best effort and I think that's all the team can ask of me."
World No.6 Taylor Fritz can clinch the trophy for Team USA with victory over the 16th-ranked Hubert Hurkacz in the men's singles rubber.
If not, Gauff and Fritz have been slated to face Swiatek and Hurkacz in a potentially deciding mixed doubles match.
But the respective team captains can change their line-ups.
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