Iga Świątek sealed Poland’s promotion! Lots of nerves on the court

On the occasion of Iga Świątek’s match, it is worth recalling once again how brilliantly Magda Linette opened the competition in Malaga for the Polish national team. After almost four hours of play, the Poznań player defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo. In the fifth match between both women, Linette won only her first victory. But how valuable for the national team!

Billie Jean King Cup: Iga Świątek beat Paula Badosa, Poland in the quarterfinals!

It was known that after Linette’s victory, the Polish team, led by captain Dawid Celt, was in a privileged position. It was enough to add Iga Świątek’s win to be able to enjoy advancing to the quarterfinals of the event. Interestingly, there are Czech women waiting there who were lucky enough to get the so-called a free ticket in the tournament bracket.

Świątek, as befits the best Polish singles player, did a great job. The WTA ranking runner-up faced Paula Badosa, the best Spanish player. The problem, however, is that the Spanish player, ranked twelfth in the world, has not appeared on the court for a long time in recent weeks. Świątek also had a similar problem, although by choice, taking a break between the US Open and WTA Finals.

However, the Pole played three matches in Riyadh, although she was eliminated at the group stage from the last individual tournament of the year, but showed quite good tennis. This was visible in Malaga, where Badosa – although she really wanted to – did not have many arguments for a better-disposed opponent.

The match even started with the Spanish leading 3:2 and the Poles having a chance to break it. Świątek, however, was able to defend her serve (3:3), and what’s more, from then on she attacked her opponent, greatly increasing the pace. Adding to this the problems with Badosa’s serve, it quickly became 2:3… 6:3 for Świątek. The first game ended after 44 minutes. Statistically, it is worth emphasizing as much as 86 percent of the effectiveness of scoring points after the first serve on the Polish side. Domination.

Poland – Czech Republic in the fight to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament in Malaga

In the second set it started 3-0 for Świątek, with one break. Badosa did not give up, even having her moment to return to 3:3. Ultimately, however, although the Spanish broke the Polish woman, she was able to fight back and get out of the temporary trouble with a score of 4:2.

And again the Spaniard in action, this time quite an easy break to get closer to 4:3 in favor of the Pole. With new balls in her service game, after 37 minutes Badosa equalized the score at 4:4. What’s more, the Pole had to defend herself at 15:40 in the ninth game, with the pass on her side. It was therefore tense, although the beginning of the set did not promise such even playing.

The set ended in a tie-break. The Spaniard started with a 3-1 lead, much to the delight of the home fans. Although it must be admitted that there was a large group of fans from Poland in the stands in Malaga.

After a fatal mistake under Badosa’s net, Świątek made it 4:3. However, the minimum buffer was not maintained by the Pole. The Spaniard used the first set ball (Polish’s error) and won 7:5, equalizing the match after a game lasting one hour and 11 minutes.

The last game was played under the direction of the Pole. Świątek was not discouraged by the events of the second set, setting her pace again. Effect? A 6:1 win and joy for the Polish champion. The match was interrupted for a while due to a medical incident, one of the fans fainted and immediate medical intervention was needed.

Ultimately, in both cases, it ended well. The match was resumed (interrupted at 4:1), and the Pole won and closed the Spanish team’s chances of success.

Świątek added a valuable point to the pool, and the Polish national team, with a 2-0 lead, ensured success in the 1/8 finals of the BJKC. Finally, there is a doubles match, in which the duos Marina Bassols Ribera/Jessica Bouzas Maneiro versus Magdalena Fręch/Katarzyna Kawa were originally supposed to face. And what will happen in the end, the decision remains with the captains.

One thing is certain, however, in the quarterfinals, tennis fans will be treated to a rivalry between Polish and Czech players, which already promises to be very interesting.

Broadcasts from the competition in the BJKC final tournament can be watched on TVP Sport. It will be possible to follow the tennis players’ national team activities online on the television website, mobile application, Smart TV, and HbbTV.