Tennis – United Cup – Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, Australia – January 6, 2023 Jessica Pegula of the U.S. shakes hands with Poland’s Iga Swiatek after the match REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
SYDNEY—World number one Iga Swiatek broke down in tears after a 6-2 6-2 defeat to Jessica Pegula, who gave the United States the perfect start to their United Cup semi-final against Poland in the opening singles rubber on Friday before Frances Tiafoe doubled their advantage.
Swiatek was only able to hold her serve once in the first set as Pegula raced to a 5-0 lead and the American world number three kept up the pressure with some brilliant returns in the second set.
Pegula secured a dominant victory that will also give her a personal boost heading into this month’s Australian Open when Swiatek sent a forehand wide after little more than an hour on Ken Rosewall Arena.
“I thought I did a good…
