Jessica Pegula registered a 6-2, 6-2 win over reigning World No.1 Iga Swiatek in the first match of the United Cup semifinal to give the USA a 1-0 lead over Poland on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pegula broke Swiatek five times and dropped her serve only once in storming to her first win over the three-time grand slam champion since 2019.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Swiatek lost the first seven points of the match - five with forehand errors. A slew of terrific winners enabled her to break Pegula back from 40\/0, but it was the American who maintained her initial momentum.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pegula teed off repeatedly on Swiatek's serves, firing clean return winners en route to breaking for 4-1. The 28-year-old out-rallied Swiatek in the highest-octane baseline exchanges ultimately tallying 21 winners to the Pole's 18.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Swiatek showed some excellent volleying and overheads, but none led to any sustained momentum. In the first set, Pegula won 15 of her first 18 return points; in the second, she lost only five points behind her serve and did not face a break point.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After Swiatek's loss in the opening tie, it will be up to her countryman Kacper Zuk to level the tie for Poland in the best-of-five-match tie. The world No. 245 takes on US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zuk replaced Daniel Michalski due to the latter's illness.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After Swiatek's loss in the opening tie, it will be up to her countryman Kacper Zuk to level the tie for Poland in the best-of-five-match tie. The world No. 245 takes on US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe.<\/p>\r\n\r\n