SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 05: Hubert Hurkacz of Poland serves in his group D match against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina during the day five 2022 ATP Cup tie between Poland and Argentina at Qudos Bank Arena on January 05, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz will go up against Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik in the group stage of the 2023 United Cup.
The Polish star finished the year ranked No. 10 in the ATP rankings. He had an impressive time in 2022 as he notched up 41 wins and just lost 21 matches. Hurkacz also won the Halle Open in 2022 and this was his first ATP 500 title. He defeated then world No. 1, Daniil Medvedev, in the final to win the title.
Hurkacz also made it to the fourth round at the French Open for the first time in his career. He would have hoped for deeper runs in the other Grand Slams but he couldn’t progress beyond the second rounds at the Australian Open and the US Open. His season came to an end with a loss in the round of 32 against eventual champion Holger Rune.
The 25-year-old will remember 2022 fondly as he finally managed to win his first ATP singles final after ending up with a loss in four previous attempts. At the Open Sud de France, Bublik defeated then world No. 3 Alexander Zverev to clinch the title.
A good performance from Bublik in the inaugural United Cup is of utmost importance for team Kazakhstan in the 18-team tournament. Apart from him and Yulia Putintseva, there isn’t too much tour-level experience in Kazakhstan’s squad.
Hubert Hurkacz has a slight edge as far as the head-to-head scoreline is concerned. He leads Bublik 3-1. Hurkacz won their previous encounter at the 2022 Astana Open in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
Prediction: Hubert Hurkacz to win in three sets.
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