SYDNEY — Iga
Swiatek showcased her resilience and determination, overcoming Great Britain’s
Katie Boulter 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4 to secure Poland’s spot in the United Cup
semifinals at Ken Rosewall Arena. Poland now have an unassailable 2-0 lead over
Great Britain.
Swiatek’s win came on the heels of Hubert Hurkacz’s 7-6 (3),
7-5 straight-set victory against Billy Harris, sealing the tie for Poland and
ensuring their place in the final four for the third consecutive year. Poland
will now face Kazakhstan in a bid to reach their second straight United Cup
final.
Swiatek’s clash with Boulter was their first career meeting,
and it lived up to expectations. The opening set saw both players battling
fiercely from the baseline. Swiatek’s early dominance - highlighted by a 3-0
lead and a marathon service game where she saved four break points - suggested
the former World No.1 was in control.
But Boulter, ranked 24th, showcased her grit and flat,
powerful hitting to claw her way back into the match.
The Briton’s backhand proved decisive in the opening set, as
she forced a tiebreak with a series of deep, penetrating shots that disrupted
Swiatek’s rhythm. In the tiebreak, Boulter’s fearless baseline play earned her
back-to-back winners, sealing the set in 74 minutes and giving Great Britain a
glimmer of hope.
Down a set, Swiatek immediately adjusted her strategy in the
second set. Tightening her baseline consistency and increasing her aggression,
she raced to a double-break lead. Swiatek’s relentless precision overwhelmed
Boulter, who managed just four winners compared to her 17 in the first set.
Swiatek’s dominance culminated in a commanding 6-1 win, sending the match into
a decider.
The deciding set brought more drama as Boulter earned an
early break to lead 2-1, capitalising on Swiatek’s momentary lapse in
concentration. Swiatek, however, took an off-court medical timeout and returned
with her upper right leg strapped. Despite the setback, she immediately found
her rhythm, winning eight consecutive points to shift the momentum back in her
favour.
Both players delivered their best under pressure in the
final games. Serving at 4-3, Boulter saved two break points with gritty
defensive play, prevailing in extended rallies to keep her hopes alive. But
Swiatek, known as the WTA’s best returner, turned the tables at 5-4. With a
stunning display of precision and power, she broke Boulter’s serve at love to
close out the 2-hour and 57-minute match.
With Poland advancing to face Kazakhstan in the semifinals,
the stakes remain high. Swiatek and Hurkacz will lead a battle-tested Polish
side that has proven its mettle under pressure. Kazakhstan, featuring in-form
players like Elena Rybakina and Alexander Bublik, will pose a formidable
challenge.
