SYDNEY: World number two Iga Swiatek defied a partisan crowd to thrash Australian Maya Joint in Sydney on Friday and help take Poland into a United Cup semifinal clash with the USA.
Joint is a talent at age 19 but she was blown away by the six-time Grand Slam champion, Swiatek teaching her a lesson in a 6-1, 6-1 victory in 58 minutes.
The 24-year-old Swiatek will be among the favorites when the Australian Open starts on Jan. 18 and this showed why as she won a third match in a row.
Alex de Minaur defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the men’s singles to level the quarter-final at 1-1 and give the hosts hope.
However, Poland won the deciding mixed doubles to set up a last-four showdown with reigning champions the United States in a repeat of last year’s final.
That tees up Swiatek against world number four Coco Gauff.
The other semifinal on Saturday is between Belgium and Switzerland.
The United Cup is a mixed-teams competition featuring 18 countries and serves as build-up to the Australian Open.