Pegula stuns Swiatek, U.S. leads Poland 2-0 in United Cup semifinals & More Trending News
SYDNEY, Australia — Jessica Pegula scored her first win over a reigning World No.1 in the primary rubber of the United Cup semifinals, racing previous Iga Swiatek 6-2, 6-2 in 71 minutes. Frances Tiafoe then gave the United States a 2-0 lead with a 6-3, 6-3 win in opposition to Poland’s Kacper Zuk.
If the Americans can win another match Saturday, they’ll face both Italy or Greece. After Day 1, the Italians are up 2-0 in the best-of-five showdown.
Pegula’s earlier career-best win by rating had come in opposition to then-ranked No.2 Naomi Osaka in the second spherical of Rome 2021. Pegula had misplaced to Swiatek in all 4 of their 2022 encounters.
Swiatek was sluggish out of the blocks, shedding the primary seven factors of the match — 5 with forehand errors. A slew of terrific winners enabled her to interrupt Pegula again from 40-0, nevertheless it was the American who maintained her preliminary momentum.
Pegula, 28, appeared totally at residence on a courtroom she has competed on all through the United Cup’s group levels. She teed off repeatedly on Swiatek’s serves, firing three clear return winners for a 4-1 lead. Pegula outrallied Swiatek in baseline exchanges, finally tallying 21 winners to her opponent’s 18.
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In the primary set, Pegula gained 15 of her first 18 return factors. In the second, she misplaced solely 5 factors behind her serve and didn’t face a break level.
“[The] conditions are totally different than anywhere else I’ve played her,” Pegula stated afterward. “Obviously possibly I had a little bit little bit of a bonus, they only flew in yesterday. Definitely the quickest circumstances I’ve performed right here.
“Every other place I’ve played her has been pretty slow. I think that favored me a lot, and I was able to use that to my advantage and play a really super clean match. I think I just was able to execute my game plan probably better than I have previous times.”
With a bonus in hand, Tiafoe, 24, performed with confidence in a 6-3, 6-3 victory in opposition to Poland’s Zuk, who changed Daniel Michalski (sickness) in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Tiafoe saved all 5 break factors he confronted inside Ken Rosewall Arena.
Tiafoe has gained all 4 of his matches on the inaugural United Cup, shedding just one set.
The United States’ No.1 males’s singles participant, ATP No.9 Taylor Fritz, can have a chance to shut out the tie Saturday morning when he takes on No.10 Hubert Hurkacz. If he doesn’t, WTA No.11 Madison Keys can achieve this in the second Saturday match, when she faces No.48 Magda Linette.
It’s not over but
The Fritz/Hurkacz and Keys/Linette head-to-heads are each tied at 1-1, with each of Keys and Linette’s encounters coming in the previous two months. Following her loss, Swiatek expressed religion in her compatriots to tug off a comeback.
“I have a belief that we can do a lot,” she stated. “Magda played really solid match two days ago, so I hope she’s going to be confident. I would say they are both 50/50, but it depends. I will do my best on the bench. I wasn’t able to do that on court today, but I will do my best to cheer and help them.”
Pegula and Tiafoe are backing their compatriots.
“Taylor and Hubi is going to be tough,” Tiafoe stated. “I think whoever serves better is probably going to get over the line. I’m going to back Taylor’s serve tomorrow, obviously. They haven’t played a proper match in a while. They’re both in two different stages of their career. They’re both playing the best tennis of their life. So we’ll see.”
Pegula had related perception in Keys.
“Madi and Magda is going to be tough,” she stated. “Obviously, once more, they have not been right here very lengthy; hopefully we are able to use the courts to our benefit a little bit bit. Yeah, I gotta again Madi along with her huge recreation, so long as she serves fairly effectively. She’s been enjoying some actually stable tennis. I feel it helps she sort of received that powerful three-setter [against Katie Swan] out of the best way, so hopefully she’ll really feel fairly unfastened tomorrow.
“2-0, it’s nice, but sometimes it’s tough to close it out as well.”
Pegula stuns Swiatek, U.S. leads Poland 2-0 in United Cup semifinals
Pegula stuns Swiatek, U.S. leads Poland 2-0 in United Cup semifinals
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Pegula stuns Swiatek, U.S. leads Poland 2-0 in United Cup semifinals