Taylor Fritz vs Hubert Hurkacz Prediction United Cup Tennis Picks 1/5/25

Taylor Fritz earned a retirement victory over Tomas Machac as the USA brushed aside Czechia to reach a second United Cup final.

Fritz is one of the survivors from the winning team from the inaugural United Cup in 2023, entering this year's tournament once more as the No. 1 male player in the team.

Things began brightly for those in Stars and Stripes when Coco Gauff put them in control after beating Karolina Muchova in straight sets.

All Fritz had to do was to win his singles match to confirm the USA's progress into Sunday's final against Poland.

But despite going up an early break and building a 3-0 lead, Fritz relinquished the first set in a tie-break. Machac manufactured the only break of serve by the halfway point in the second set and served for the match at 7-6, 5-4 up, having squandered two match points in the previous game.

Sadly for the 24-year-old Machac, he never crossed the finish line and lost two more games. He immediately retired because of cramps and knee pain. 

Hubert Hurkacz Preview

Hubert Hurkacz had earlier on Saturday scored a crucial singles win over Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan. Poland won the tie 3-0.

The match took 17 games to decide and lasted precisely an hour. Hurkacz hit 10 aces and landed 76% of first serves.

He won 80% of first-serve points (28/35) and 73% of second-serve points (8/11) and did not face a single break point in the match.

Hurkacz won 45% of return points (22/49) and converted three out of four break points.

Hurkacz has won two and lost two singles matches at the 2025 United Cup.

Taylor Fritz vs Hubert Hurkacz Head-To-Head

• Fritz and Hurkacz have met four times on the ATP Tour.

• Fritz leads their series 3-1 and has beaten Hurkacz in this competition two years ago.

Taylor Fritz vs Hubert Hurkacz Prediction

Fritz is the massive favorite, but I think the oddsmakers are truly underestimating Hurkacz's potential to win this match. All four matches between these two players have been settled in straight sets, but none of those matches featured fewer than 21 games, with their previous meeting at the 2023 Untied Cup featuring two tie-break sets.

To me this is more of a 50/50 matchup as both players play on the front foot on the baseline right from the opening point on serve, so don't expect too many long points. The total games spread is a no-brainer given what has transpired in their rivalry, and if you are willing to go for the long but feasible shot, the Hurkacz money line triples your stake.