Iga Swiatek improves United Cup record as she inspires Poland again with epic Katie Boulter victory
Iga Swiatek continued her excellent start to the 2025 season as she defeated Katie Boulter in a thrilling contest to seal Poland’s progress to the United Cup semi-finals.
The world No 2 prevailed 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4 against the British No 1 in a high-quality contest lasting two hours and 56 minutes.
In an epic opening set, Swiatek led 4-1 before an inspired Boulter broke back and forced a tiebreak. She then held a mini-break advantage at 4-3 in the tiebreak, but Boulter won four straight points to take the set.
The 23-year-old delivered a strong response in the second set as she broke the world No 24 three times en route to levelling the match.
In the deciding set, Swiatek was broken to fall 1-2 behind, but she hit straight back after taking a medical timeout.
After crucially saving a break point at 4-4 with a stunning backhand winner that caught the edge of the line, the Pole broke Boulter to love to come through a huge test.
Swiatek’s triumph gave Poland a decisive 2-0 lead against Great Britain in the quarter-final tie in Sydney, setting up a semi-final showdown with Elena Rybakina-led Kazakhstan. Hubert Hurkacz defeated Billy Harris 7-6(3), 7-5 in the opening rubber.
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After her win, Swiatek said: “I don’t know, I’m just exhausted, you know. I’m happy that I won so I don’t need to play mixed doubles (laughs).
“No, but this match was crazy, so many changes of momentum, I thought I had it under control in the first set, but for sure I got tight and I didn’t work on it.
“But then I didn’t want to repeat the same mistake in the third and I took like four painkillers because also a lot hurt, but I’m happy that we won and for sure I’m going to sure the day off tomorrow.”
Swiatek’s latest victory moved her singles record at the start of 2025 to 3-0, while she has also won both of the deciding doubles ties she has played at the United Cup.
The five-time Grand Slam champion has now won 11 United Cup singles rubbers — the most of any female or male player since the inception of the team event in 2023.
The Pole is on an eight-match winning streak at the United Cup since losing to Jessica Pegula in 2023 — her only singles defeat at the competition.
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