Swiatek cruises to win in United Cup

Polish seed beats Sorribes Tormo 6-2 6-1, puts Poland into quarters

PERTH:

Iga Swiatek overcame Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2 6-1 at the United Cup on Monday for a second singles win of the season, and partnered Hubert Hurkacz to dish out a “double bagel” that put Poland into the quarter-finals of the mixed team tournament.

Swiatek and Hurkacz eased past Sorribes Tormo and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-0 6-0 in the mixed doubles decider to ensure the top seeds finished as Group A winners in the 18-nation event that offers $10 million in prize money.

 “I’m happy right now to have another chef in the bakery,” said world number one Swiatek, whose ability to crush singles opponents without conceding games has sparked “Iga’s Bakery” memes on social media.

 “No, I’m kidding. On Twitter they said the bakery should be closed on New Year’s eve, but here we are. I’m happy I played so well and Hubi’s a great partner for mixed doubles.”

Swiatek, who beat Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia on Saturday, earlier dragged Poland back into the tie against Spain with her win over Sorribes Tormo after Davidovich Fokina gave his team the lead with a 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory over Hurkacz.

Meanwhile, a sharp Casper Ruud won his second straight singles match of the season on Monday before backing up in the mixed doubles to steer Norway past Croatia at the United Cup.

World number 23 Donna Vekic ground past unheralded Malene Helgo 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 to give the Croats a winning start to the Group F tie at the mixed teams tournament in Sydney.

But three-time Grand Slam finalist Ruud swept past Borna Coric 6-4, 6-1 in just 89 minutes to level proceedings, then teamed with Ulrikke Eikeri to beat Vekic and Ivan Dodig 6-2, 3-6, 10-7.

It was a much-needed win for Norway who lost against the Netherlands at the weekend.

"I'm motivated for the new year, I'm fresh and I'm ready," said world number 11 Ruud. "Another great singles match. I'm very happy to start the new year that way."

It followed a similarly dominant 6-3, 6-4 win over Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor on Saturday.

Ruud has dropped serve just once through the two matches, and was not broken on Monday.

He also won 12 of 13 net approaches and said he had been working hard to improve his volleys.

"I'll never be the guy who is all over the net, but I'm trying to come into the court a little more," he said.

Vekic needed two hours and 49 minutes to battle past Helgo, who played far better than her ranking of 539 suggested.

Vekic was put to the test in the first set, falling 5-2 behind before winning the next eight points to get back on serve and coming through 7-5.

Helgo took another 5-2 lead in the second set and this time hung. But Vekic broke for a 4-2 advantage in the third and converted her second match point at 5-3 to win.

The Alexander Zverev-led Germany meet France in Group D later Monday in Sydney after beating Italy 2-1 in their opening tie.