Poland falls short of BJK Cup final after a valiant effort vs Italy

 

World No.2 Iga Swiatek may have outlasted World No.4 Jasmine Paolini in a thrilling 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 second singles match on Monday in the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals -- but it was the Italian who eventually got the final word and helped put her team through to Wednesday's championship.

Paolini and Sara Errani defeated Swiatek and Katarzyna Kawa 7-5, 7-5 in the third and deciding match to send four-time Billie Jean King Cup champions Italy through to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals final, where it will face either Great Britain or Slovakia, which play Tuesday.

Gold medalists Paolini and Errani had to battle hard to defeat the scratch Polish pairing, which had partnered up for the first time just days ago in the quarterfinals and defeated the Czech Republic to advance to the final four for the first time.

They saved three set points in the first set, and rallied from a 5-1 deficit in set two, to put Italy through to the final for a seventh time -- and second year in a row.

The Italians led 1-0 in the tie thanks to an upset for World No.78 Lucia Bronzetti over No.38 Magda Linette before Paolini and Swiatek took the court for their much-anticipated fourth all-time duel. Paolini had won just nine games in three previous head-to-head matches against Swiatek, but both she and Swiatek came into the match unbeaten in Malaga -- and the two-highest ranked players in the PIF WTA Rankings competing for their countries at the event played like it over the course over a thrilling 2 hours and 36 minutes.

From a break behind in the first set, Paolini won a set against Swiatek for the first time in four meetings -- matching Swiatek with eight winners, and fewer unforced errors, over the first nine games. The Italian continued to put the pressure on Swiatek over the course of the match -- she generated 16 break points in all over the course of three sets -- but the World No.2 continued to rise to the occasion each time.

She saved 13 of the 16 break points she faced in the match overall -- including all five in the second set -- before she broke Paolini for the first time since 2-2 in the opener at 5-4 to send the match the distance.

Later, after seeing Paolini draw even in the third set from 3-1 behind, Swiatek's continued easy service holds put pressure on Paolini serving second. And she eventually cracked in the match's final game, losing serve from 30-15 ahead.

Bronzetti had earlier gotten Italy off to a winning start with a 6-4, 7-6(3) win over Linette.

The Italian had won just three games the last time she faced off against Linette -- in the United Cup last year -- but led for almost the entire duration of Monday's match. From 3-3 in the first set, Bronzetti won seven of the next nine games -- but eventually needed to fight through a surge by the Pole late in the second set.

From 4-1 behind, Linette won four straight games, and was twice was a game away from forcing a third set, before Bronzetti squeaked out the win in a tiebreak.

The 26-year-old Bronzetti, in her seventh BJK Cup nomination, picked up her first singles win for Il Tricolore with her Linette was playing for the first time in three days after defeating Sara Sorribes Tormo in a 3-hour, 51-minute marathon in Poland's 2-0 win over Spain in the first round.

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Sport is all about elation one minute and heartbreak the next. And what a heartbreak this turned out to be.

We came so close to making the final thanks to Iga this year. She was literally carrying the whole country and team on her back. 

Winning all her matches in 3 sets and playing doubles. 

Spending a total of over 10 hours on court in a span of 5 days. 

A truly Herculean effort from let's face it Poland's MVP.

I honestly didn't expect much after Linette lost the first singles rubber, I had faith Iga would pull through (and she did so despite not having her best tennis) but I knew 2024 Olympic Champions Errani/Paolini would be a tough task. 

A task that we actually almost pulled off. 

Katarzyna Kawa and Iga Swiatek make for quite a formidable doubles team. It's been a real pleasure watching it these past days. 

Iga seems so free playing doubles, despite the pressure you could really see the joy. Something she's been missing in the 2nd half of the season.  

I saw Iga hit shot at net I've never seen her hit in singles. 

If she can play with this type of freedom in 2025 we'll be in for a treat.

There's clearly still so much untapped skill and talent just needs the right person to nurture and encourage it. Hopefully Wim Fisette will be that man. 

I'm sad they lost the 5/1 lead in the 2nd set (also having set points in the first) the match truly deserved to go to the wire and finish in a super tiebreak. 

The quality was superb.   

This will be a match I will look back on fondly despite the loss. 

As a fan I could not have asked for more of a maximum effort than Iga showed here. 

Today's singles match was Iga's 7th three set win of the year (one she won from a set down too)

Not a bad way to end the season honestly. 

I can't help wondering if the result would have been different had coach David Celt chosen Frech over Linette (who clearly still hadn't fully recovered from the 4 hour marathon with Sorribes Tormo). 

I understand he was going with Linette's experience overall but I'm sure even he will have some 2nd thoughts and regrets on that.

Thank you Iga for giving it your all and continuing to make my home country so damn proud. I hope you get to lie in bed and do nothing for at least a week. You deserve it.  

May not have been the result you desired but a truly inspiring effort!.

Rest up champ,and here's to makng more historic moments in 2025!. 

I for one already cannot wait. 

Iga Swiatek pulls double duty to give Poland historic semi finals at Billie Jean King Cup

 

Poland defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in a come-from-behind quarterfinal tie at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, after World No.2 Iga Swiatek notched two must-win victories on Saturday in Malaga, Spain.

With the comeback, Poland has made the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the first time in their nation's history. In the semifinals, they will take on Italy, who won their quarterfinal tie earlier on Saturday.

"In 20 minutes I’ll be dead, but now, let’s enjoy this," said Swiatek, once her day ended after 1:00 a.m. local time. "It was an exhausting day, really tough matches. But I’m really happy that we won the last one, that’s the most important thing."

The 11-time champion Czechs started the tie ahead 1-0 when Marie Bouzkova beat Poland's Magdalena Frech 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in Saturday's opening match.

But Swiatek held on for a 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5 victory over hard-hitting Czech teen Linda Noskova to keep her Polish squad alive. Swiatek needed 2 hours and 39 minutes to fend off 26th-ranked Noskova, who was playing her first match since the US Open.

Just 30 minutes later, Swiatek came back onto court for her first Billie Jean King Cup doubles match since 2019. Swiatek partnered Katarzyna Kawa to a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Bouzkova and WTA Doubles World No.1 Katerina Siniakova, sending Poland into the Final Four.


"The whole team did an amazing job," Swiatek said on court. "I’m going to ask [Kawa] to teach me these forehands down the line, they’re amazing."

Saturday's tie started with Bouzkova holding off a stern challenge from Frech to give the Czech Republic the 1-0 lead. Bouzkova had no problems racing through the first set, and she had two break points to take an early 2-0 lead in the second set.

However, Frech fended those chances off, and she gradually pulled herself into contention. Frech, who finished the season in the Top 25 for the first time in her career, quickly broke Bouzkova for a 5-4 lead in the second set, which she served out routinely.

The third set pitted Frech's angles against Bouzkova's speed, with very little separating the players. At 5-4, Bouzkova's exceptional defense helped her take charge on Frech's serve, garnering a 0-40 lead and triple match point. Bouzkova needed only one chance, slamming a big backhand to earn the victory.

Thus, Swiatek came to court knowing she had to win to keep her team in contention. Swiatek led Noskova 3-1 in the head-to-head, including two wins this year, but Noskova's victory came on a huge occasion, when she ousted Swiatek in the third round of this year's Australian Open.

Noskova, who turns 20 years old on Sunday, spent her last day as a teenager pushing Swiatek to the limit. After the pair went back and forth in the first set, Swiatek served for the set at 6-5, only to see Noskova fire a backhand winner into the corner to break for 6-6.

In the tiebreak, Noskova was unnerved by a stretch return by Swiatek off of a powerful serve, and she misfired on the reply to give Swiatek a 5-3 advantage. At 5-4, Swiatek summoned two unreturned serves to take the one-set lead after 70 grueling minutes.

In the second set, neither player was pushed to deuce through 4-4, but Noskova eventually found amazing volleys to break for a 5-4 lead. The Czech closed out the second set with consecutive backhand winners, edging closer to a possible upset.

Another tight set settled affairs, with a 4-1 third-set lead for Swiatek being reeled back by Noskova all the way to 5-5. Swiatek reclaimed dominance with her forehand to hold on for 6-5 and force Noskova to serve to stay in the match.

In that game, Swiatek fired a rally forehand winner to earn two match points. On her second match point, Swiatek again found a stretch return winner, Noskova replied with a miscue once more, and the Pole ended up the narrow victor.

Swiatek subbed in for Frech in the decisive doubles, and despite the short turnaround time, she made a perfect match with Kawa. Swiatek's big hitting paired superbly with Kawa's return winners and deft volleys, and they took a commanding 6-2, 4-0 lead.

Bouzkova and top-ranked doubles player Siniakova refused to yield so easily, and they won four games in a row to make things competitive. But Swiatek sealed a quick hold for 5-4, then Kawa powered through another return game to break Bouzkova at love and finish Poland's comeback.

It was a big win for Kawa, who is now 4-3 in doubles action at the Billie Jean King Cup throughout her career. Like Noskova, Kawa's birthday is on Sunday -- the Pole turned 32 years old during her doubles victory.

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What a fun day of tennis this turned into. An almost 7 hour battle for Poland to get through to their first ever semi finals at this event. 

Absolute elation. 

So proud of the way Iga fought today and handled the hard hitting of Linda Noskova, served magnificently too (at about 80 percent).

But the thing that brought me the most joy was seeing Iga playing women's doubles. So many people forgot how good she is in doubles (did make Roland Garros semis and finals in 2020 and 2021). 

I'm amazed at how well Iga handled the quick turn around of half an hour rest and the switch from singles to doubles. Her adaptability is another thing people don't give her enough credit for. All this and having to play until well after midnight (match finished around 1:15am). 

Only in Tennis.

Good thing they all have a day off tomorrow, because they'll need to catch up on their sleep.

Next up for Poland will be Italy and a meeting with Jasmine Paolini another fun one in store.

 

Jazda!

Iga Swiatek and Magda Linette clinch quarterfinals for Poland at Billie Jean King Cup

 

World No.2 Iga Swiatek and No.38 Magda Linette sealed a victory for Poland over Spain in the first round of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, giving them an insurmountable 2-0 lead.

The best-of-three tie was postponed from Wednesday due to a severe weather alert in the region. Linette opened the festivities with a marathon 7-6(6), 2-6, 6-4 defeat of Sara Sorribes Tormo in 3 hours and 51 minutes. Swiatek closed out the win by overcoming a second-set wobble to beat Badosa 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1.

"I wouldn't say I pushed us to quarterfinals," Swiatek said on court. "Magda played an amazing match in the morning. We both did it. I'm really happy that we finally won a match at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals."

Poland advances to the quarterfinals to face 11-time champions the Czech Republic on Saturday. After Karolina Muchova's withdrawal ahead of the event, the Czech squad will be comprised of Linda Noskova, Marie Bouzkova, Sara Bejlek and Katerina Siniakova.

Swiatek and Badosa had exchanged victories in two previous encounters, both in 2021. Badosa scored a 6-3, 7-6(4) upset at the Tokyo Olympic Games, but Swiatek avenged that loss 7-5, 6-4 at the WTA Finals Guadalajara. Initially, there was little between them as their third meeting got underway. For the first six games, the pair delivered a succession of thrilling, high-octane baseline exchanges, and neither gave ground on serve.

After Badosa double faulted down break point at 3-2, Swiatek rattled off seven straight games in dominant fashion to take a 3-0 second-set lead. But Badosa found her form again to fight back and send the set to a tiebreak, which she edged 7-5.

"In the beginning, I felt like it was my best match since I'm back after US Open," Swiatek said, "but later on for sure she pushed me and there was a lot of pressure. The tiebreak, I knew every point mattered and I did one little mistake and unfortunately it went her way.

"But I knew I could come back in the third set and try to win it for Poland."

While holding serve was the norm in the first set, it proved to be a premium in the third. After exchanging three breaks of serve to open the decider, Swiatek snapped the streak to hold for a 3-1 lead. She extended her advantage to a double-break to lead 4-1 before the match was paused to attend to an ill spectator. On the resumption, Swiatek protected her lead to close out the win.

Earlier, Linette put Poland up 1-0 on the hosts by coming back from 3-0 down in the third set to earn her first career win over Sorribes Tormo. Linette had lost all four of her previous meetings with Sorribes Tormo, including at the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

"I hate playing Sara so much!" she said in her on-court interview. "I knew it was going to take me four hours, and it did."

Sorribes Tormo showed immense grit to the very last point. On Linette's first match point, Sorribes Tormo conjured a remarkable lob off a Linette drive volley that just dropped inside the court. However, the Pole continued to commit to coming forward, and solid net play finally saw her get over the line.

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It's so good to see Iga one more time before the season ends. It's especially good to see her playing well and enjoying herself in a team atmosphere. 

I was so disappointed when Iga didn't make it out of the group stage at WTA Finals this year (due to dumb round robin rules that give me a headache) watching her here is more than making up for it. 

Her match with Linda Noskova tomorrow could be a  lot of fun.

I can honestly say I've enjoyed this year's BJK Cup more than the ATP Finals, which have been a bit predictable and boring. 

With Alcaraz out in the group stages due to a bad cold, I will be shocked if anyone other than Jannik Sinner wins it.

Iga Swiatek helps Poland to BJK Cup Finals

 

Poland, Great Britain, the United States, Romania, Germany, Japan, Australia and Slovakia clinched spots in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on Saturday, each moving one step closer to the prestigious women's tennis team title.

This weekend's eight Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers ties were all settled on Saturday, with the winners advancing to November's Finals in Seville, Spain. Here is a running breakdown of the final day of the Qualifiers:

Poland def. Switzerland 4-0

Iga Swiatek had to contend with a spirited effort by Swiss 18-year-old Celine Naef, but the World No.1 from Poland prevailed 6-4, 6-3 to send her nation back to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

Despite falling behind an early break, heavy hitting by Swiatek allowed her to eventually take charge. At one point, Swiatek reeled off six straight games to lead 6-4, 4-0, putting her squad on the brink of sweeping 2022 champions Switzerland.

Rising teen Naef, ranked World No.148, showed off big shots and impeccable defense to get back on serve at 4-3 in the second set and put pressure on the Pole. In the end, though, Swiatek righted the ship to pick off the final two games and wrap up the 1-hour and 21-minute win.

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