Kawa and Swiatek Lead Poland: At the end of a thrilling match, Katarzyna Kawa and Iga Swiatek paired up to defeat Marie Bouzkova and Petra Siniakova, sending Poland to the Billie Jean King Cup hosted with Gainbridge the semifinals for the first time.
Swiatek’s first Billie Jean King Trophy doubles game since 2019 saw the pair win 6-2 6-4, and Poland is currently two wins away from winning the tournament for the first time. On Monday, they will take on Italy in the round of four.
Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam singles champion, leveled the score for Poland with a 7-6(4) 4-6 7-5 victory over Linda Noskova in the second singles match of the tournament, guaranteeing that the thrilling battle would be decided by doubles.
Kawa and Swiatek Lead Poland:
First blood had already been drawn by Czechia, when Bouzkova defeated Magdalena Frech 6-1 4-6 6-4 to put the seeded country in this year’s championship ahead in the first singles match.
In the end, Kawa and Swiatek deserve praise for their outstanding contributions to their country. After all, they were playing the top-ranked women’s doubles player in the world, Siniakova.
Swiatek remarked, “It’s incredible that we have achieved a dream for Poland. “I’ve missed a few opportunities to compete in this event, but now that I have the chance, I want to do well and have an impact.
This opportunity is fantastic, so I am so glad I finally got the chance. The entire experience is amazing, and the atmosphere is fantastic. The fact that our squad has such outstanding players makes me very delighted as well.
“Katarzyna, I, and the entire team are really happy of ourselves for fighting today considering we weren’t the favorites in doubles.
Since I haven’t played doubles in a long time, I’m thrilled that Katarzyna was in charge of the doubles, choosing the best strategies and giving me instructions. We formed an excellent team, in my opinion.
Kawa turned 32 during the doubles, but it might be a stretch to claim she enjoyed her birthday on the court given the long match that ended after midnight.
“At the time, I was unaware that it was my birthday,” she stated. “This is undoubtedly a very meaningful birthday for me, even though I had no idea what time it was.
“We faced some really formidable opponents. I am aware of Iga’s abilities and strengths. We had a chance because I simply attempted to perform at the greatest level I could.
We weren’t the favorites, as Iga stated. Katerina has defeated me on a few occasions when we have played, but I wasn’t going to lose again. I’m glad we succeeded.
Instead of Magda Linette, who played the opening singles match against Spain on Friday, Poland captain Dawid Celt shuffled his pack and chose Frech to face Bouzkova to start the evening.
Although it took three hours and fifty-one minutes to win, Linette defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo. Thus, it was not surprising that Frech was chosen, even though Linette had strapping on her shoulder this evening.
Before going toe-to-toe in an exciting third set in which she fell behind 4-1, the Czech teenager rallied from a set down to equalize and then fought back to push Swiatek all the way.
Noskova can look back on this historic performance with great pleasure, but Swiatek took home the trophy because she preserved Poland’s hopes of reaching their first Billie Jean King Cup semifinal.
Even though they lost, Czechia should also be given a lot of praise. On the eve of the Finals, former world No. 8 Karolina Muchova’s injured withdrawal stunned the 11-time champions.
Although there was no shortage of skill or effort, three of their players in Malaga were younger than 21 due to the later call-up of Sara Bejlek and Dominika Salkova.
Petr Pala, the captain of Czechia, maintained that his country’s six-title winning streak from 2011 to 2018 creates an atmosphere and a certain amount of terror. Despite the loss, those claims are, in a way, true.
