Iga Swiatek beats Elena Rybakina as Poland make United Cup final; Naomi Osaka and Arnya Sabalenka into finals
Updated 04/01/2025 at 11:24 GMT
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Iga Swiatek beat long-time rival Elena Rybakina in the United Cup to send Poland through to the final, after Hubert Hurkacz earlier defeated Alexander Shevchenko in straight sets. Meanwhile, Noami Osaka and Arnya Sabalenka both cruised into the Auckland and Brisbane finals respectively ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open - live on Eurosport and discovery+.
Swiatek admits she ‘pushed myself to the limit’ in victory over Rybakina
Video credit: TNT Sports
Iga Swiatek managed to get the better of her rival Elena Rybakina in Sydney, beating the former Wimbledon champion 7-6(5) 6-4 in the United Cup semi-final.
Combined with her compatriot Hubert Hurkacz’s win, Poland made it through to the final before the mixed doubles was even played.
For Swiatek, the result was a great indicator of where her form is heading into Melbourne as the Polish player seeks to lift the Australian Open trophy for the first time.
Swiatek had to work for her victory though, going down a break in the opening set as Rybakina’s deep, booming ground strokes sent the five-time Grand Slam champion scrambling behind the baseline.
But she recovered to drag the set into a tie-breaker, and once she had the one set advantage, Swiatek began to look much more comfortable on court as she took the match in straight sets in just over two hours.
"I think that’s the first time I was able to win with Elena [Rybakina] on a faster surface, so it means a lot. I for sure didn’t start well, I felt like I [was] on the handbrake a bit," Swiatek said in her on-court interview.
"I wanted to really work and change the momentum, and I’m happy that I kind of did that at the last possible chance in the first set. I kind of told myself that I’m not going to miss anymore, and I’m happy because for sure it was tough. It’s always tough against Elena, and it means a lot to me, especially after such an intense day, this win makes me really proud."
Earlier, Hurkacz once again got Poland off to a flying start. He needed just 58 minutes to dispatch Shevchenko 6-3 6-2, his serve doing the business against an opponent who looked short of answers.
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"The last match here gave me a little bit of confidence, and I’ve been playing better with every single match," Hurkacz said in the wake of his victory.
Poland won the dead rubber mixed doubles as well to take a 3-0 clean sweep in the semi-final, and they will play either the USA or the Czech Republic in Sunday’s final.
OSAKA MAKES FIRST FINAL SINCE 2022
Naomi Osaka is through to the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland after she defeated Alysa Parks 6-4 6-2.
The former world No. 1 will play Clara Tauson, who beat Robin Montgomery 6-4 6-3, in Sunday’s final.
For Osaka, it is a first final appearance since she lost to Swiatek in Miami all the way back in March 2022.
It is also her first final since she returned to the tour last year following her maternity leave.
"I’ve actually never gotten to the final of the tournament the week before Melbourne, so this is like a career first for me," Osaka said on court after her victory.
"I’m really happy, there’s always constantly things to improve or to get better, no matter how old you are."
Osaka won two of her four Grand Slam titles Down Under, with victories in Melbourne in 2019 and 2021, and she looks to be playing herself into some decent form ahead of the opening slam of the season.
SABALENKA CRUISES PAST ANDREEVA
Aryna Sabalenka avenged her Roland Garros defeat last year by beating Mirra Andreeva 6-3 6-2 to make the Brisbane final.
Sabalenka is a two-time Australian Open champion, and seems to once again be in very good form as she prepares to defend her title in Melbourne, advancing to her first final of the year without losing a set.
Andreeva did have chances in the match, but was not able to convert a single one of her eight break points as she struggled to deal with the power of her opponent, who was in no mood to hang around.
Polina Kudermetova has the tough task of playing Sabalenka for the trophy on Sunday, after she beat Anhelina Kalinina 6-4 6-3 to advance to her first main tour singles final.
Watch the 2025 Australian Open live on Eurosport and discovery+
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