Iga Swiatek's Poland defeated by Italy despite a historic run

A historic performance with a bitter taste for Iga Swiatek and her teammates: after the best run in its history in the BJK Cup, Poland lost on Tuesday in the semi-final against Italy, finalist for the second year in a row.

“The result hurts, but at least we gave everything”Polish captain Dawid Celt was satisfied at a press conference. Prostrate on the Polish bench after the doubles which marked the 2-1 victory of the transalpine selection, the world No.2 did not hide her distress after a heroic fight.

“Tired”

Or rather two. Because before losing 7-5, 7-5 against Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini at the end of a second set with twists and turns, Swiatek had already fought a fight – victorious – lasting more than 2h30 against Paolini in singles. “Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired.”declared the Polish woman, “no regrets” after the defeat.

At 23, the Warsaw native did not come far from being the heroine of Poland again, two days after a quarter-final against the Czech Republic where she initially triumphed alone before winning in doubles with Katarzyna Kawa.

Weary! Deprived of her place as world No.1 in October by Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, eliminated in the group stage of the WTA Masters of which she was the title holder, Swiatek saw her season end in minor mode on the Costa del Sol.

Poland played its first semi-final in Malaga in the BJK Cup, a competition created in 1963 and formerly named Fed Cup. Italy, which will face either Slovakia or Great Britain on Wednesday for the title, offered itself an opportunity to win a fifth BJK Cup, after those of 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2013.

“The intensity (of the semi-final) was completely crazy”exulted Paolini in the early hours of Tuesday. “When you fight for your country, it gives you extra motivation”she added.

“And in the end I won”

Monday, the evening began with a straight set victory for Lucia Bronzetti: 6-4, 7-6 (7/3). More aggressive than Magda Linette, indestructible on the way back, the Italian seemed to be heading towards an easy victory. But at 6-4, 4-1 in his favor, Bronzetti had to manage the awakening of his opponent, suddenly sharper. Linette came back two breaks behind then led 5-4 before finally giving in to the tie-break, won 7-3 by Bronzetti.

“It’s the first time I’m playing singles for Italy, I found out this (Monday) morning”said the winner of the match. “My heart was pounding but I told myself I was going to go on court, give it my all, fight for every point… and in the end I won”enjoyed Bronzetti.

In the second singles of the day, against Jasmine Paolini (4th), Iga Swiatek seemed on the verge of breaking several times. After losing the first set 6-3, the Pole conceded numerous break points in the second set but her opponent, who had never managed to beat her in three confrontations, did not convert any.

Quite the opposite from Swiatek, who stole Tuscany's throw-in at 5-4 in his favor to equalize at one set everywhere. Rebelote in the third set, where the two players engaged in a standoff until Paolini cracked, again in the tenth game (6-4 for Swiatek).

The two protagonists met again a few moments later on the court, for a doubles revenge which this time turned to the advantage of the 28-year-old Tuscany. After Italy won the first round (7-5), the second seemed to be won by Poland, well ahead (5-1). But the transalpine team lined up six games to secure a place in the final.