Gauff sweeps past Swiatek to lay down Australian Open marker
An inspired and in-form Coco Gauff beat Iga Swiatek in straight sets Sunday to fire a warning shot ahead of the Australian Open.
Gauff d. Swiatek 6-4 6-4 at United Cup
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 5, 2025
Tremendous tennis from both.
But what a win for Coco.
She beats Iga in back to back matches for the 1st time.
✅24th top 10 win
✅USA leads 1-0
✅Won last 5 matches she’s played against top 10
Came. Saw. Conquered.
🇺🇸❤️ pic.twitter.com/tWV7MJ8qH8
In a pulsating United Cup final women's singles match in the mixed teams event in Sydney, American Gauff triumphed 6-4, 6-4 over Poland's Swiatek in 1hr 51min of hard-hitting tennis.
It was third-ranked Gauff's second successive victory over Swiatek after beating the former world No 1 at the WTA Finals in Riyadh on her way to the title.
Gauff won all six of her previous singles and doubles matches this week and continued her streak when Swiatek double-faulted on match point at 4-5, 30-40 in the second set.
Coco Gauff hits an OUTRAGEOUS forehand winner against Iga Swiatek at United Cup.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 5, 2025
Stretched so far off the court that you can’t even see her on the camera.
How on earth did she come up with this angle.
Simply ridiculous. 🇺🇸
pic.twitter.com/JFLqPgQgji
"I think I have the belief that I am one of the best players in the world, and when I play good tennis, it's hard for me to be beaten," said Gauff.
The 20-year-old will go into the first Grand Slam of the year, beginning 12 January, unbeaten in singles since losing to world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Wuhan semifinals in October and brimming with confidence.
"I have the belief that I'm one of the best players in the world" 🙌
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) January 5, 2025
Coco Gauff has now won her last two matches against Iga Swiatek 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GX85q6aLTs
"Today I think I played great tennis, and I'm happy to get a point for my team on the board," she said. "It was tough today. I'm not gonna lie."
Gauff's victory left the United States one win away from lifting the mixed-teams cup for the second time with Taylor Fritz to follow against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in the men's singles.
A final mixed doubles will decide the final if necessary.
Swiatek took a medical timeout at 5-4 down in the second set to have strapping put on her niggling left thigh which has bothered her all week in Sydney.
She left the court in tears, walking gingerly after her defeat.
Swiatek was bidding to help Poland, beaten finalists against Germany last year, to win the United Cup for the first time while the United States won the inaugural title in 2023.
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