SYDNEY—World number two Iga Swiatek defied a partisan crowd to thrash Australian Maya Joint in Sydney on Friday and give Poland the lead in their United Cup quarter-final.
Joint is a talent at age 19 but she was blown away by the six-time Grand Slam champion, Swiatek teaching her a lesson in a 6-1, 6-1 victory in 58 minutes.
The 24-year-old Swiatek will be among the favourites when the Australian Open starts on January 18 and this showed why as she won a third match in a row.
Hubert Hurkacz faces home hope Alex de Minaur in the men’s singles as Poland and Australia battle for the right to meet reigning champions the United States in the last four.
The other semi-final is between Belgium and Switzerland.
The United Cup is a mixed-teams competition featuring 18 countries and serves as build-up to the Australian Open.
In Brisbane, World number one Aryna Sabalenka sent an Australian Open warning as she beat Madison Keys on Friday in Brisbane in a repeat of last year’s Melbourne final.
Keys stunned Sabalenka nearly 12 months ago but the Belarusian took revenge on the American with a statement 6-3, 6-3 victory to reach the semi-finals.
Keys was playing less than 24 hours after her marathon three-hour win over Russia’s Diana Shnaider and had heavy strapping on her thigh.
