“I just wasn’t able to step up,” Iga Swiatek gives an honest assessment of her defeat to Jessica Pegula
Iga Swiatek expresses her disappointment with her performance in the semi-final round singles match against Jessica Pegula at the United Cup.
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Jessica Pegula celebrates her win over Iga Swiatek at United Cup 2023
Team Poland and Team USA are the top-ranked teams in the United Cup 2023. They are going head-to-head in the semi-final round. In the first match of the rubber, Jessica Pegula shocked Iga Swiatek. She defeated the 2022 US Open champion 6-2, 6-2.
This is the first defeat for the World No.1 in this competition and also this season. This defeat came just a few days before the start of the 2023 Australian Open. She is considered the favorite to win her career’s maiden Australian Open title.
The Pole analyzed her performance in the match. She complimented the World No.3 for her fine performance.
“She’s one of the best players in the world so you have to be really on top of your game to win vs. Jessie. It was always like that, even last season,” she said.
However, she also added that she was disappointed with her performance and her inability to compete against the American.
“So I’m not surprised, b/c I know what she can do. I’m more surprised I just wasn’t able to step up to her game today,” she continued.
In the next match, Frances Tiafoe defeated Kacper Zuk of Poland 6-3, 6-3 to give Team USA a lead over Team Poland.
Related: Maria Sakkari reveals how she drew inspiration from Rafael Nadal to beat Petra Martic in United Cup
Can Poland reach the Final of the United Cup 2023?
The World No.1 had started the season on a positive note. Until now, she has been instrumental in her team’s cause at the United Cup. In the group matches, she defeated and won all her singles matches. She defeated Yulia Putinseva of Kazakhstan and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland. She also salvaged her team’s campaign against Italy by winning against Martina Trevisan. This victory inspired Poland to win against Italy 3-2 and qualify for the semi-finals.
She also paired with Hubert Hurkacz to help the team win important matches. This is for the first time Iga Swiatek has been defeated by her opponent in the tournament. However, she still can pair with the World No.10 and help her team back on winning ways. Their mixed doubles pair has remained undefeated in this competition so far. It is expected that the Polish pair will have to face the American pair of Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz.
Also, Hubert Hurkacz and Co. have to win their remaining rubbers if they want to reach the final. Hence, the Polish team would need all the cheering and inspiration to win this tie against the American team.
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Abhar Indorkar
(451 Articles Published)