World No. 1 Iga Swiatek completed a major comeback win over 2022 WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia to seal Poland’s win over France at the United Cup.
After Hubert Hurkacz defeated Adrian Mannarino to give Poland an early 1-0 lead over France in their United Cup semifinal tie in Sydney, Swiatek had a chance to complete her nation’s victory. In the tie’s next match, Swiatek made a slow start to the match but absolutely dominated the remainder of the clash to beat former world No. 4 Garcia 1-6 6-4 6-4.
Considering that Poland secured its win after it went 2-0 up, there was no need for Swiatek and Hurkacz to return to the court for mixed doubles. Instead, Poland sent Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski to the court, who defeated Elixane Lechemia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-3 6-3 to complete a 3-0 win for Poland over France.
How Swiatek beat Garcia?
Swiatek had a great chance to go up by an early break but the Pole missed out on three consecutive break points in the second game. A couple of games later, Swiatek paid the price for not converting her break point chances as Garcia earned the first break of the match in the seventh game. In the eighth game, Swiatek saved a set point on her serve but Garcia remained calm as the Frenchwoman routinely served out for the first set in the ninth game.
Down by a set, four-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek emphatically bounced back, starting the second set with back-to-back breaks and a 5-0 lead. In the seventh game, Swiatek successfully served out for the second set after converting her third set point.
After dominating the second set, Swiatek also started the third set by breaking Garcia in the very first game of the set. Down by an early break, Garcia had a chance to instantly get the break back but she didn’t realize any of her two break point chances in the third set.
After confirming her break and going 2-0 up, Swiatek broke Garcia again in the third game before also serving out the following game for a commanding 4-0 lead. In the seventh game – when Garcia was serving to stay in the match – Swiatek broke the Frenchwoman to complete her big comeback win.
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