Sydney, Jan. 5 (BNA): World No. 1 Jessica Pegula’s win at the Fed Cup in Sydney on Friday put the United States in dominant position to qualify for the mixed-team final.
She defeated American Swiatek 6-2, 6-2, leaving the world’s No. 1 woman in tears afterwards as she struggled to come to terms with the magnitude of what was a rare defeat over the past 12 months, according to the AP.
Frances Tiafoe later gave the United States a 2-0 lead over Poland in the first semi-final by defeating Kasper Zuk 6-3, 6-3 in a convincing display at the Ken Rosewall Arena.
Taylor Fritz can clinch a place in the final for the United States when he takes on world number 10 Hubert Hurkacz in the third singles match to open on Saturday.
Swatik won all four matches against Pegula last year and was considered the favorite for the Australian Open, which begins on January 16.
But the assertive play of Pegula, who adopted an aggressive stance as he returned Swatik’s serve, reaped big rewards for the world No. 3 player in what proved to be a mismatch.
The 28-year-old, a quarter-finalist at three Grand Slam tournaments last year, said she made use of her knowledge of the Beijing Rosewall Arena and speed of the court.
The United States was based in Sydney during the group stages of the inaugural tournament, while Swiatek’s Poland advanced from the Brisbane division of the 18-nation event.
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