Świątek, ranked No. 2 in the world, faced little resistance from Helgø, who is ranked 404th in the WTA standings. The match lasted just 62 minutes.
Malene Helgø of Norway in action against Iga Swiatek of Poland during the United Cup Day Four match between Team Poland and Team Norway at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney, Australia, 30 December 2024. Photo: MICK TSIKAS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT/PAP/EPA
Iga Świątek of Poland in action against Malene Helgø of Norway during the United Cup Day Four match between Team Poland and Team Norway at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney, Australia, 30 December 2024. Photo: MICK TSIKAS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT/PAP/EPA
Hubert Hurkacz is currently facing Norwegian Casper Ruud in a pivotal singles match at the United Cup. The Polish player lost the first set 7-5 in a tightly contested battle. Later, Hurkacz and Świątek will team up for a mixed doubles clash against Ruud and Ulrikke Eikeri.
Hubert Hurkacz of Poland in action against Casper Ruud of Norway during the United Cup Day Four match between Team Poland and Team Norway at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney, Australia, 30 December 2024. Photo: MICK TSIKAS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT/PAP/EPA
Casper Ruud of Norway in action against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland during the United Cup Day Four match between Team Poland and Team Norway at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney, Australia, 30 December 2024. Photo: MICK TSIKAS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT/PAP/EPA
This is Poland’s first match in Group B, which is competing in Sydney. A day earlier, Norway lost to the Czech Republic 2-1. Poland is set to face the Czechs on Wednesday.
If Hurkacz, ranked 16th in the world, defeats Ruud, ranked 6th, it will secure Poland’s victory. However, if Ruud wins, the outcome will hinge on the mixed doubles match.
The United Cup serves as a warm-up for the Australian Open, starting on January 12. Players can earn up to 500 ATP or WTA ranking points, with a total prize pool of $10 million.
Source: IAR/PAP/X/@UnitedCupTennis
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