Tennis: Pegula stuns tearful Swiatek as US take charge of semi-final
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Iga Swiatek (left) crashed 6-2, 6-2 in a 71-minute defeat to Jessica Pegula in Sydney.
PHOTO: REUTERS
SYDNEY – A “helpless” Iga Swiatek was left in tears after Jessica Pegula stunned the world No. 1 on Friday, before Frances Tiafoe gave the United States a commanding 2-0 lead over Poland in the semi-finals of the inaugural United Cup.
Less than two weeks before the Australian Open, Polish star Swiatek had no answer to the American’s powerful serve and searing returns. She crashed 6-2, 6-2 in a 71-minute defeat in Sydney.
“She played I think a perfect match, and it was pretty hard for me to find any spot where I could come back, because she really didn’t let me do that,” said Swiatek, who also explained why the tears came.
“I felt kind of helpless today, because physically and mentally I wasn’t able to kind of show up.
“So it’s always hard when you lose, especially when you’re playing for the team and your country. So I was just sad.
“But, you know, it’s not the first time I cried after a lost match.”
With the roof closed at Ken Rosewall Arena on a rainy day, Swiatek lost the opening seven points. She woke up to level at 1-1, but lost focus again and was broken twice more to concede the first set in 39 minutes.
Another early break for Pegula in the second set put Swiatek on the back foot and she had no way back against a player in sizzling form.
It was a massive blow for the Pole ahead of the Australian Open, following a dominant 2022.
She had beaten Pegula four times in 2022, including at the French and US Opens that she went on to win.
World No. 19 Tiafoe was also in top form, putting the US on the cusp of Sunday’s final when he swept past Kacper Zuk 6-3, 6-3.
“My level is pretty high,” said Tiafoe. “I believe I’m playing some of the best tennis of my life, I’m just having fun out there.”
The remaning two singles matches are on Saturday ahead of a mixed doubles rubber, if required.
The tournament began with 18 countries but has been whittled down to four after round-robin ties in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney.
Poland, USA and Greece all progressed to the last four as city winners, along with “lucky losers” Italy.
Italy took an early advantage in their semi-final against Greece, with Martina Trevisan upsetting Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-5 in a gruelling 3hr 14min battle.
Italy’s Martina Trevisan celebrates her victory over Greece’s Maria Sakkari.
Lorenzo Musetti then made it 2-0 for the Italians after he beat Stefanos Sakellaridis 6-1, 6-1.
At the Adelaide International, Daniil Medvedev set up a semi-final against Novak Djokovic, proving too strong for fellow Russian Karen Khachanov in a straightforward 6-3, 6-3 win.
Serbian top seed Djokovic was equally dominant, defeating Canada’s Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4.
AFP, REUTERS