Swiatek’s comeback to force a Poland-Italy Billie Jean King Cup double

i need Poland another miracle Iga Swiatek to reach the final of the Billie Jean King Cup after Lucia Bronzetti’s victory over Magda Linette in the first semi-final match and the world number 2 took the first of two steps her country needed to reach the final. In a spirited rivalry against Jasmine Paolinithe Swiatek won the 3-6, 6-4 and 6-4 to send the tie (1-1) in decisive double.

Both will meet again in the decisive doubles match, Paolini with his usual companion Sarah Errani to the Olympic champion duo and Swiatek beside Katarzyna Kawa. Italy He will start as the favorite in that final match, although we will have to see how the players handle the rigors of the second match.

In a reissue of the Roland Garros final, but this time on an indoor hard court, Paolini forced Swiatek to work hard until the end. In a match with exchanges, with both players being too aggressive, Iga scored first for 3-2 with a break midway through the first set. However, doubts about the service later surrounded him then an aggressive Paolini, with constant changes of direction to regain serve, break again and take the first set 6-3 after saving 0-40.

But Swiatek, who had a lot of trouble with his forehand for a good part of the match, served out tough moments in the second set to hold the match and reach the end of the set alive. In it, with 5-4 to spare, he saw his chance to close out the second set and send the game tied for third.

Struggling to rally from the baseline, Swiatek saved four break points in a lengthy third game before breaking Paolini’s serve in the fourth. The advantage did not last long, because the Italian reacted immediately so, yes, the two players save their services with solvency. Until, with 5-4 and the rest, in a repeat of what happened in the second roundSwiatek achieved the decisive break to win the match and send the semifinals to a decisive doubles.