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United Cup: Swiatek kickstarts her season in flying fashion, gives Poland a 1-0 lead

Home Tennis United Cup: Swiatek kickstarts her season in flying fashion, gives Poland a 1-0 lead
United Cup: Swiatek kickstarts her season in flying fashion, gives Poland a 1-0 lead
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Iga Swiatek laid down a marker in her season opener at the United Cup in Sydney, defeating No.404 Malene Helgø 6-1, 6-0 to give Poland an early 1-0 lead over Norway in Group B.

Norway’s hopes now rest with No.6 Casper Ruud, who will face No.16 Hubert Hurkacz in the second singles rubber. After losing its opening tie against the Czech Republic, Norway (0-1) must defeat Poland to have a chance of advancing out of the group.

Swiatek, 23, led the Hologic WTA Tour in match wins (59) and titles (5) in the 2024 season, and she looked as sharp as ever in her season debut. With new coach Wim Fissette sitting in the coaches’ box, Swiatek overpowered Helgø from the baseline to tally her first win of the season.

“I’m happy for sure with the performance,” Swiatek said. “It’s not easy to play for your country, sometimes the pressure is bigger.

“I’m really excited, like every year. I feel like I can take so much energy from that, from the people, from the fans. As you can see, as with every year, we filled out half the stadium with Polish people.”

 

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