Top-ranked Iga Swiatek lost to Jessica Pegula 6-2 6-2 in the first rubber of the United Cup semifinals in Sydney. The match lasted only 71 minutes, as Swiatek managed to win just four games against the player that her father Tomasz Swiatek predicted would be her biggest threat on tour.
Poland started the 18-nation mixed-team event in the Brisbane group and Swiatek helped her country’s team led by captain Agnieszka Radwanska progress into the United Cup Final Four. Playing the first match in the semifinals against the United States, Swiatek was quickly brushed aside and sobbed as she found it hard to cope with the rare loss.