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Hubert Hurkacz needed just 57 minutes to defeat Alexander Shevchenko, but Iga Swiatek had a much tougher time in her United Cup semi against Elena Rybakina.

Iga Swiatek says she felt panicked after fearing she had injured her thigh earlier this week, but the world No.2 has declared herself a certain starter for Poland's United Cup final on Sunday.

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. 

Hubert Hurkacz gave Poland a 1-0 lead in the tie 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.

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. 

"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.

"For sure tomorrow (in the final) I'm not going to be the freshest player.

"It's hard to do that in this format, also playing mixed at the beginning of the tournament.

"But I think it's the perfect preparation before the Australian Open. I think I'm going to be fine, so it's all good."

The top-seeded US pairing of Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff will start hot favourites against Czechia's Tomas Machac and Karolina Muchova in Saturday night's semi-final.

But whichever of the nations make it to Sunday's decider, they will face a fierce challenge from Poland, who won the doubles 6-4 6-1 against Kazakhstan to make it a 3-0 sweep.

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. 

"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.

"It means a lot to me to be able to play today, especially after such an intense day (two days earlier in the quarter-final win over Great Britain). 

"It's not easy to recover when you're going back to the hotel at 1am and falling asleep at 5am. So this win makes me really proud."