Spain booked their place in the final of the ATP Cup with a 2-1 win over Poland in the first semi-final at Ken Rosewall Arena.
The 2020 runners-up advanced to the final four after a clean sweep in Group A and got off on the right foot when Pablo Carreno Busta secured a 6-2 6-1 win over Jan Zielinski.
Roberto Bautista Agut was forced to do it the hard way against an inspired Hubert Hurkacz, but the world number 19 ultimately prevailed 7-6 2-6 7-6 in a three-set thriller to send Spain into the final.
There was a slice of redemption for Poland in the inconsequential doubles encounter, with Zielinski and Szymon Walkow marching to a 4-6 6-3 10-6 victory over Pedro Martínez and Albert Ramos-Vinolas before they bowed out.
Spain will now take on either Davis Cup champions Russia or Canada in the final of the 2022 ATP Cup, with the other two semi-finalists set to do battle on Saturday.
Denis Shapovalov and Roman Safiullin will kick off proceedings for their nations before Felix Auger-Aliassime meets 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev.
Ben Knapton
