SYDNEY: World number two Iga Swiatek defied a partisan crowd to thrash Australian Maya Joint in Sydney on Friday and help take Poland into a United Cup semi-final clash with the USA.

Joint is a talent at age 19 but she was blown away by the six-time Grand Slam champion, Swiatek teaching her a lesson in a 6-1, 6-1 victory in 58 minutes.

The 24-year-old Swiatek will be among the favourites when the Australian Open starts on January 18 and this showed why as she won a third match in a row.

Alex de Minaur defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the men’s singles to level the quarter-final at 1-1 and give the hosts hope.

However, Poland won the deciding mixed doubles to set up a last-four showdown with reigning champions the United States in a repeat of last year’s final.

That tees up Swiatek against world number four Coco Gauff. The other semi-final on Saturday is between Belgium and Switzerland.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2026