Great Britain suffered a setback at the United Cup, with a narrow loss by Billy Harris to Hubert Hurkacz in the opening match. This United Cup Great Britain loss now puts the team’s semi-final hopes on Katie Boulter, who must defeat Iga Swiatek to keep Britain in contention.
Harris Falls Short in a Close Battle
In a tightly contested opener, 29-year-old Harris pushed former world number six Hurkacz before succumbing 7-6 (7-3) 7-5. Despite strong serving, Harris was unable to capitalize on key moments, falling short in his quest to secure the biggest win of his career.
Deciding Moments in the Match
- First Set: A costly overhead error in the tie-break gave Hurkacz the edge.
- Second Set: Harris created three break points early but was denied by Hurkacz’s powerful serves. The Polish player eventually broke Harris for a 6-5 lead, sealing victory with a love hold.
The Road Ahead for Great Britain
With Harris’s loss, Boulter must overcome five-time major champion Iga Swiatek to force a decisive mixed doubles match. Harris has been leading the British men’s team due to injuries sidelining Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie.
Hubert Hurkacz, reflecting on his win, said, “I am super pleased; it was a difficult battle with Billy.”
For more on United Cup developments, visit BBC Sport. To explore more on British tennis, check out Eurasia Sports.