Billie Jean King Cup 2024: Iga Swiatek helps Poland reach semi-finals, faces Jasmine Paolini and Italy in last four
By James Hilsum
Updated 17/11/2024 at 12:06 GMT
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Iga Swiatek was put through the mire in her doubles encounter alongside Katarzyna Kawa to beat Marie Bouzkova and Katerina Siniakova. The world No. 2 had been given some cause for concern in her victory over Linda Noskova, but played a starring role to secure Poland a first-ever semi-final place at the tournament. Jasmine Paolini's Italy lie in wait in the the last four.
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Video credit: SNTV
Iga Swiatek played a starring role as Poland overcame the Czech Republic in a quarter-final tie at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Poland won the overall tie 2-1 after the Czechs drew first blood with Marie Bouzkova's victory over Magdalena Frech.
However, the four-time Grand Slam winner entered the fray to beat Linda Noskova 7-6(5) 4-6 7-5 in the second singles match, before partnering with Katarzyna Kawa to overcome Katerina Siniakova and Bouzkova in the doubles 6-2 6-4.
That doubles encounter completed a gruelling day of play for Swiatek, with the match concluding at 1am local time.
"In 20 minutes, I’ll be dead, but now, let’s enjoy this," quipped Swiatek in quotes published by the WTA.
"It was an exhausting day, really tough matches. But I’m really happy that we won the last one. That’s the most important thing.
"The whole team did an amazing job. I’m going to ask [Kawa] to teach me these forehands down the line, they’re amazing."
Swiatek was made to sweat by Noskova after winning the first set after a tie-break and lost the second when the world No.26 secured a crucial break in the ninth game.
The 23-year-old would eventually seal the deal in the 12th game of the decider, wrapping up the contest following a second match point.
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Her doubles encounter alongside Kawa appeared to be more straightforward, as the pair convincingly claimed the opening set in 32 minutes after twice breaking Siniakova and Bouzkova.
But the Czech duo mounted a comeback from 4-0 down to make things tetchier at 4-4 in the second set, and twice broke through the Swiatek and Kawa serve in the process.
Swiatek and Kawa settled a nervous end to the contest by taking a decisive break to love in the 10th game following an hour and 13 minutes of play.
Paolini helps Italy reach the last four
Poland's opponents in the last four will be Italy, who beat Japan 2-1, as two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini won her singles and doubles match.
Elisabetta Cocciaretto lost the first singles match 3-6 6-4 6-4 to Ena Shibahara, before the world No. 4 played a starring role in her nation's comeback.
Paolini dispatched Moyuka Uchijima 6-3 6-4, before the two-time Grand Slam finalist partnered with Sara Errani - after winning gold together at Paris 2024 - to prevail past Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi 6-3 6-4.
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