It's a success which should give her confidence before the Australian Open. Iga Swiatek dominated one of her main rivals on the circuit in the person of Elena Rybakina in the semi-final of the United Cup on Saturday in Sydney. By winning her singles (7-6, 6-4) in 2h04 against one of the players who pose the most problems on the circuit – and who always leads 4-3 in their confrontations -, the Polish brought the second decisive point to his country against Kazakhstan.
Poland, already a finalist last year when Germany beat it, will face the United States or the Czech Republic for the title on Sunday. “I think this is the first time I've been able to beat Elena on a fast surface, so that means a lot. It's the ideal preparation for the Australian Open (which kicks off on January 12)” declared the former world No. 1, returning to the top after a few months since the end of August disrupted by a positive doping test which earned him a month's suspension.
Swiatek played with a bandaged right thigh, a bandage she had applied the day before during the third set of a grueling nearly three-hour match against Great Britain's Katie Boulter. The Pole won the first set in the tie-break by converting her third set point, before winning the second more easily. Hubert Hurkacz (16th in the world) opened the scoring for Poland by largely dominating Alexander Shevchenko (78th) 6-3, 6-2. “I play better and better“, declared Hurcakz, who had lost twice in singles in the group matches before recovering from the quarters.
