Iga Swiatek seems to need little help. After Hubert Hurkasz struggled again in the second game of the United Cup, Poland needed another spell from Światek to take Poland to the quarter-finals of the United Cup. The WTA No. 1 then defeated Spain not only once, but twice, but neither match was close.
Much like Novak Djokovic with Serbia, Swiatek gives Poland a good chance to play against other countries in the United Cup. This unique mixed-gender event means that even if a team has a dominant female player or a dominant male player, it does not mean that the team will win by a tie. At least that theory applies to all countries except Poland and Serbia.
Swiatek and Djokovic are simply too good. And on Monday, Swiatek easily swept Spain.
However, Harkasz needs to lose some weight. After struggling against Brazil’s Thiago Seybos Wilde in Poland’s first match at the United Cup, Hurkasz was unable to help Poland against Spain. Harkasz lost to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Harkas’ serve should have been enough to overwhelm the Spaniard, but even that failed.
This meant that Iga Światek had to win the singles match and then play mixed doubles with Hurkasz in order to advance Poland. Swiatek gave Sorribes Tormo no chances and defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2, 6-1. The teams have met three times so far, and Swiatek has won all three, but he has lost 12 games in total and has yet to drop a set.
However, while Swiatek was dominant in the singles matches, she and Furkas were even more dominant in doubles against Davidovic Fokina and Sorribes Tormo. The Polish team defeated Spain 6-0, 6-0. If Spain finishes as the best runner-up in the three groups, Poland could face Spain again in the United Cup quarter-finals. However, Spain doesn’t seem to have a chance of beating Swiatek.