Iga Swiatek and Team Poland advanced to the United Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday morning after defeating The Netherlands 3-0.
Former world number six Hubert Hurkacz, who stunned Alexander Zverev earlier this week, defeated Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 7-6 in the opening rubber.
Iga Swiatek secured victory for the Polish contingent with a 6-3, 6-2 victory against Suzan Lamens.
Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zieliński defeated Demi Schuurs and David Pel 6-3, 3-6, 10-4 in the final rubber of the day.
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The Polish team have set up a mouthwatering quarter-final clash against an Australian team boasting Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint.
After defeating the Dutch team, Swiatek previewed her potential contest against Joint while also revealing the influence of a former Wimbledon champion.
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“I played against Maya in Seoul, but every match is a different story,” Swiatek told reporters in her post-match press conference.
“So I kind of know what her ball feels like, but obviously I’m pretty sure she also learned by also knowing how my ball feels like.
“So I will need to prepare tactically by watching the last matches that she played. I’ll be ready.
“But about mixed doubles, I think we’ll think about it later on, like, after singles. We really have to focus on the first step now and then we’ll see.”
The Polish star was then asked to reflected on an earlier time in her career; to think of a time where she – like Maya Joint is now – was an up-and-coming star playing against someone more established on the Tour.
Swiatek said: “Yeah, well, I never thought of myself as, like, upcoming star or something, you know. I just try to play my best as an underdog.
“Honestly, it was pretty fun. I miss those days. I remember actually, like, playing against Ash. I could feel how good she is when she was No. 1 and so solid, and she really, like, inspired me actually.
“Yeah, being an underdog and, yeah, being this upcoming player with this freshness that you have, I think it’s great. It’s a moment where you improve your game the most.
“So for sure she’s I feel at that point of her career, and she’s doing great. She also seems like a really intelligent and humble person, so that’s also important in my opinion.
“Yeah, I wish her [Joint] all the best, but not in two days [smiling].”
Iga Swiatek’s previous match against Maya Joint
Joint, who could have a big 2026 season on the WTA Tour, has played Iga Swiatek once before, at the 2025 Korea Open.
Swiatek comfortably defeated her Australian opponent 6-0, 6-2 in the South Korean capital.
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Swiatek went on to win the title in Korea, defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova in a close-fought final.
Her victory in Seoul marked her 25th career WTA Tour title. The title remains Swiatek’s most recent triumph.
Swiatek went on to reach the round of 16 at the China Open and the quarter-finals at the Wuhan Open. Swiatek failed to make it out of the group stage at the year-ending WTA Finals.
