Katie Boulter came close to claiming the biggest scalp of her career as Iga Swiatek edged a three-set thriller to knock Great Britain out of the United Cup. Swiatek, the world number two, prevailed 6-7 (4) 6-1 6-4 in an epic contest just short of three hours to steer Poland into the semi-finals in Sydney. The turning point came in the third set with Boulter leading 2-1 and a break up, with Swiatek heading to the physio room for a medical time-out and appearing to be in some discomfort.
A fight to the very end! 🤯🤯🤯 @iga_swiatek leaves it all on the court to defeat Boulter in a three set thriller 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4. #UnitedCup pic.twitter.
com/gcahTD1xZM — United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 2, 2025 The five-time grand slam champion was able to gather her composure, however, and broke Boulter’s serve to love on her return. Although Boulter had a break point at 4-4 when she was denied by a brilliant backhand that just caught the line, Swiatek finally got the better of the world number 24 in their first meeting. “The match was crazy, like so many changes of momentum,” Swiatek said in her on-court interview.
“I thought I had it under control in the first set, but I got tight and I didn’t want to make the same mistakes in the third. Poland’s Iga Swiatek celebrates her United Cup victory over Great Britain’s Katie Boulter (Mark Baker/AP) “It’s hard to be precise under so much pressure, but I made it and it’s a step forward.” Despite an instant Swiatek.
