Ruthless Iga Swiatek helps Poland beat Spain and reach the United Cup quarter-finals

Iga Swiatek unleashed his irresistible power against Spain on Monday as Poland won 2-1 and booked their place in the United Cup quarter-finals.

The world No. 1 player showed no mercy in the singles with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Sara Sorribes Tormo, then teamed up with Hubert Hurkas in the mixed doubles 6-0, 6- in just 53 minutes. The match ended in a draw with an overwhelming victory of 0.

Harkasz was ambushed in the opening singles match of the day, losing to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The top-seeded Poles finished Group A with a perfect record of 2-0 and await their opponents in the last eight.

read more: Casper Ruud helps Norway beat Croatia in United Cup

Swiatek, who has lost just seven of his two singles matches as he begins his countdown to the Australian Open, said playing mixed doubles was a good experience.

“This is a lesson for the future and a great practice. I rarely play in the mix. I use different skills. It’s important to feel the shape of the court,” said the 22-year-old.

Harkasz credits his teammates with most of the difficult yards.

“She pulled me through the whole match. She was making great shots in every match,” said the world No. 9.

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In Sydney, the astute Casper Ruud won his second straight singles match and also came from behind in the mixed doubles to lead Norway to a victory over Croatia.

World No. 24 Donna Vekic defeated the unprecedented Marlene Helgo 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 to give Croatia a Group F tie with Croatia.

But Ruud, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, took just 89 minutes to beat Borna Coric 6-4, 6-1 to level the score, teaming up with Ulrikke Eikeli to beat Vekic and Ivan Dodig for six. We beat them -2, 3-6, 10-7.

It was a much-needed win for Norway after losing to the Netherlands at the weekend.

World No. 11 Ruud said, “I’m motivated, fresh and ready for the new year.” “I had another great singles match. I’m very happy to start the new year in this way.” Ta.

The victory followed an equally dominant 6-3, 6-4 victory over Dutchman Talon Griekspoor on Saturday.

Ruud dropped serve only once in two matches and was not broken on Monday.

He also said he has been working hard to improve his volleys, winning 12 of 13 net approaches.

“I’m never going to be an online player, but I’m trying to show up on the court a little more,” he said.

Vekic took two hours and 49 minutes to fight Helgo, and Helgo played much better than his No. 539 ranking would suggest.

“She’s a really good player and the rankings don’t do her justice,” said Vekic, who reached the quarterfinals of last year’s Australian Open. “My serve finally worked in the third set and it got easier. ” he said.

Alexander Zverev’s Germany will face France in Group D in Sydney later on Monday, while defending champions USA will take on Australia in Perth.