On Friday, Poland triumphed over Australia with a score of 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the United Cup team tournament. Key points were secured for the Polish team by Iga Swiatek in singles, as well as Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zieliński in mixed doubles. However, during Swiatek’s match, there were concerns about her health.
Amid the match, with the score at 2-1, viewers noticed that Swiatek appeared to be upset, reportedly even crying while sitting on the bench. Polsat Sport commentator Dawid Olejniczak noted this, expressing hope that it wasn’t a serious health issue. At that moment, Swiatek’s coach, Wim Fissette, was seen supporting her. After a brief pause, she returned to play, albeit after wiping her face with a towel.
Despite these concerns, Swiatek continued to perform strongly, demonstrating precision in her shots and exerting pressure on her Australian opponent, Maya Joint, who made several errors. This was noted as Swiatek’s best performance thus far at the United Cup.
Following Hubert Hurkacz’s singles loss to Alex de Minaur, the outcome of the tie against Australia rested on the mixed doubles match. Though initially set to play in the mixed pairing, Swiatek did not participate in this event.
In response to inquiries about her health, Swiatek’s manager, Daria Sulgostowska, assured that there were no injuries and that fans could remain calm.
Looking ahead, the official tournament schedule has announced the semifinals. On Saturday, Switzerland will face Belgium, followed by Poland’s clash against the United States. Hubert Hurkacz will kick off the match against Taylor Fritz, with Swiatek slated to compete against Coco Gauff. The mixed doubles teams may still change, with current nominations being Hurkacz and Swiatek against Gauff and Christian Harrison.
During the post-match press conference, Swiatek expressed satisfaction with her performance against Joint, emphasizing her focus and the intensity she brought to the court. She acknowledged the upcoming match against the USA, noting the excitement it would bring to the fans and affirming her dedication to performing well.
The United Cup will continue in Sydney until Sunday, making it important for Swiatek to maintain her health ahead of the Australian Open, set to start a week later. As the second seed, Swiatek aims to secure her first title in Australia, a location where she has yet to clinch a Grand Slam championship.
The Poland vs. USA match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 AM Polish time, with live coverage available on Polsat Sport. The Polish team has reached the semifinals in previous editions of the United Cup, facing tough competition but now has a chance for redemption against Gauff and Fritz.