Swiatek saves Poland against Italy in BJK Cup semi, forces doubles decider / Photo: JORGE GUERRERO - AFP
-
French fishermen block ports over petrol prices
-
AtlasClear Holdings Reports Preliminary Fiscal 2026 Revenue of Approximately $20.1 Million, Up 85%; Revenue Plus Interest Income of Approximately $21.9 Million
-
AFP photo shows Trump examining image of Kennedy Center apparent demolition
-
Alonso says Chelsea ambition clear after end of Boehly era
-
Andersson vows to take Sweden in 'new direction' after election win
-
Micron's Taiwan workers say 68 months' bonus not enough
-
Turkey's Erdogan to run again in early 2028 vote, top adviser says
-
'Another arrow to the quiver': World Bank posts record private capital mobilization
-
Sweden's Andersson: a trusted, no-nonsense political operator
-
Macron hosts Lebanon security talks as UN mission nears end
-
Canada's Carney pushes 'new alliance' with EU despite Trump threats
-
From land to race laws: what's driving the US-South Africa rift?
-
Ireland to boycott Eurovision 2027 over Gaza
-
Beyond Investment Returns: Families Are Measuring Wealth by Freedom, Continuity, and Legacy, According to Nour Private Wealth
-
India's Tata Sons reappoints N. Chandrasekaran as chairman
-
King Charles disputes claims in book by Princess Diana's brother
-
Sweden's left-wing wins election thriller
-
Real Madrid fan group wants Mbappe apology over Ceuta shirt snub
-
Germany urges EU action against China to defend carmakers
-
Nepal floods among 'most challenging' disasters: WFP
-
Stocks mostly rise after US Fed rate hike, oil eases
-
Doubts as Italy eyes electric future for steel plant
-
Palestinians turn rugged caves into homes after Israeli demolitions
-
'One of the kindest people': Taraneh, 21, facing execution in Iran
-
Two unseen Monet paintings to be sold in Paris: auction house
-
Japan eyes changing prostitution law to punish sex buyers
-
Klopp wants German team to help reclaim national pride from far-right
-
After record rain, typhoon threatens new challenge to Asian Games
-
Ninth woman found dead in South Africa killing spree
-
Kids and social media: what would change under new EU law
-
Smog scuppers Japan force helping fight Indonesia wildfires
-
Modi pitches India as global chipmaking hub
-
King Charles to call on tech giants for 'reassurances' over AI
-
Ukraine plans record defence spending in 2027
-
Lebanon security talks in Paris focus on replacing UN mission
-
Klopp calls up 44 players in huge first Germany squad
-
Most stocks rise as Fed hikes and oil prices drop
-
STARPRIME Responds to Diverging Gold Market Demand with AM/PM Fixing and XAU24/7
-
'Vande Mataram': Why is India's freedom song in spotlight?
-
Ukrainian fashion designer debuts art between air raids
-
Counterculture pop artist Peter Max dies at 88: US media
-
Gambian businesses struggle under prolonged blackouts
-
Asian Games chief defends 'functional' rooms after backlash
-
Fiji declares national HIV crisis
-
Leader's sister says only 'idiots' think N. Korea to give up nukes
-
Australia to cut migration to fix housing crisis: minister
-
World's water cycle becoming more unpredictable, UN warns
-
NASA scan discovers new, 'once in a century' Moon crater
-
Where the US-China tariff row stands ahead of White House summit
-
Most stocks rise as Fed hikes and indicates drive to curb inflation
Swiatek saves Poland against Italy in BJK Cup semi, forces doubles decider
World number two Iga Swiatek battled back from a set down against Jasmine Paolini to take Poland's Billie Jean King Cup semi-final clash with Italy on Monday to a deciding doubles match, with the score tied at 1-1.
The five-time Grand Slam winner defeated Paolini 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in Malaga, after Italian Lucia Bronzetti beat Magda Linette 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) in the first singles rubber.
Beaten every time in their three prior clashes and having never managed to take a set off Swiatek, Paolini battled with fierce determination from the outset.
Swiatek crushed the world number four in straight sets in the French Open final earlier this year but found a vastly tougher opponent in Malaga.
The Pole saved two break points to hold at 2-2 and then broke with a fizzing forehand to take the lead.
It did not deter Paolini, who doubled down and won the next four games, securing two breaks of her own, to claim the first set.
Swiatek spurned three break points in the final game and showed signs of tiredness after helping Poland reach the semi-finals by winning both her singles match and a doubles rubber against the Czech Republic.
Paolini had done the same for last year's runners-up Italy against Japan but dug deep to keep Swiatek at bay until the 10th and final game of the second set, which the Pole won to force a third.
After the players exchanged breaks in the decider Swiatek eventually triumphed when Paolini went long.
Swiatek won 13 of the 16 break points she faced, proving the stronger in the key moments.
"I have still work to do, so no time to celebrate," said Swiatek on court.
"For sure it was tough, my energy level was down in the second set but I managed to get back and that was the most important thing."
Earlier Linette, world number 38, was largely outclassed by Bronzetti, ranked 78th, in the first singles rubber.
At 4-1 down in the second set Linette battled back strongly to force a tie-break but was eventually beaten when she slapped a return into the net after saving one match point.
It left the pressure on Swiatek to deliver, which she did in thrilling fashion.
On Tuesday Great Britain face Slovakia in the second semi-final.
A.Aguiar--PC