Second seeds Poland will take on either the US or Czechia in the decider after crushing Kazakhstan 3-0 in Saturday's semi-final at Ken Rosewall Arena.Â
The US have a 1-0 lead in their semi-final after world No.3 Coco Gauff crushed Karolina Muchova 6-1 6-4.
American Taylor Fritz can seal the deal for the top seeds with victory over Tomas Machac in the men's singles.
Hubert Hurkacz gave Poland a 1-0 lead in their tie against Kazakhstan after defeating Alexander Shevchenko 6-3 6-2 in just 57 minutes.
Swiatek had to fight much harder in her singles match against 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, but she was able to come from a break down in the opening set to post the 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 victory.
The five-time major winner had her upper right leg strapped on Saturday after appearing to tweak her thigh during her three-set quarter-final singles win over Katie Boulter two days earlier.
Hubert Hurkacz took just 57 minutes to beat Alexander Shevchenko 6-3 6-2 in their semi-final tie. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
Swiatek was given the all clear to feature in the semi-final, and she overcame a sluggish start to secure an impressive win.
"On my last match it hurt me for some time," Swiatek said of the injury scare.Â
"And yesterday (Friday) I thought I was more panicking because it's hard to say after one day what's really going on there.
"But nothing happened in everybody's opinion. I'm ready to play some more matches."
The moment — United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) @HubertHurkacz sealed the deal �#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/APq3jY6Af9January 4, 2025
Hurkacz lost to Casper Ruud and Machac during the United Cup group stage, but has been on fire since.
The world No.16 defeated Billy Harris in straight sets during Poland's quarter-final win over Great Britain, and then sent down 10 aces to one against Shevchenko on Saturday.
"I'm definitely happy with my performance, and some of the things started to click.," Hurkacz said.
World No.6 Rybakina broke Swiatek early in Saturday's semi-final battle and was serving for the first set at 5-3 up.
Swiatek broke back, and then had two set points on a Rybakina service game that lasted more than 13 minutes.
Rybakina eventually managed to hold, but Swiatek was too good in the tiebreak, taking the set in 72 minutes.
Swiatek broke to love in the seventh game of the second set and then saved a late break point to seal the 123-minute victory.Â
Team Poland fans cheered Hurkacz on in his quick win over Kazakhstan's Alexander Shevchenko. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
"I for sure didn't start well. I felt like I was on a hand-break a bit," Swiatek said.
"I knew I had to do something because this match was going to go to waste.
"I changed the momentum and I'm happy I did that in the last possible chance in the first set."
Poland won the mixed doubles 6-4 6-1 to make it a 3-0 clean sweep.
The US got off to a hot start in their semi-final thanks to Gauff, who converted four of her eight break-point opportunities to seal the win in just 86 minutes.
Coco is SHINING 💫— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/3OykfEKGmCJanuary 4, 2025
Gauff spent the group stage and quarter-final part of the mixed-teams tournament in Perth, but the trip to Sydney and the three-hour time difference didn't slow her down on court.
"I woke up so late today," Gauff said.Â
"The whole match I was intense and focused, so I think that made the difference today."
