American Jessica Pegula upset World no1 Iga Swiatek as the United States took control of the Sydney City finals of the United Cup.
Pegula and Swiatek started the final four ties of the United Cup for their respective teams with the American storming to a 6-2, 6-2 win. The Pole struggled from the very start, losing the first seven points of the match.
Despite a brief battle back, Pegula never allowed Swiatek a way back into the match, targeting her serve repeatedly to storm to a 4-1 lead. The 28-year-old, who went winless against Swiatek last year, also out-rallied her opponent during longer exchanges from the baseline.
The second set was much the same with Pegula always a step ahead before wrapping up the contest in 74 minutes to put USA 1-0 up against Poland.
Francis Tiafoe and Kacper Zuk (who replaced Daniel Michalsk) followed the women’s singles contest with the American easing past his counterpart 6-3, 6-3 to hand USA complete control of the tie.
In similar scenes to the earlier contest, Tiafoe took the early initiative before Zuk mustered up some resistance in the second set. His best was still not enough as Tiafoe romped to his 4th win of the tournament.
USA’s no1 ranked Taylor Fritz will have the chance to wrap up the tie when he takes on Poland’s World No. 10 Hubert Hurkacz.
