In the early weeks of the 2025 tennis season, fans were treated to an instant classic between Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina. Swiatek representing Poland was the fan favorite with a chorus of fans frequently chanting her name in between points as she faced Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the United Cup semifinal match.
The CLINCHER 🇵🇱@iga_swiatek sends Poland to the #UnitedCup final with a 7-6 6-4 win over Rybakina! pic.twitter.com/zQc1s1jcmh
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 4, 2025
Before this match, Rybakina led the head-to-head series 4-2. When these two women play, it is usually high-quality tennis.
That’s exactly how it went. The first set was lengthy and competitive. Rybakina was up a break and served for the set at 5-4 when Swiatek lifted her game and Rybakina started making some errors. Elena Rybakina also had a ten-minute service game to stay in the set and force the tiebreaker.
The tiebreaker was unusual because the server continuously lost points (mini-breaks) during most of it. Swiatek gutted it out and persevered.
At the beginning of the second set, Tennis Channel commentators questioned Rybakina’s fitness, believing a longer match favored Iga Swiatek.
Rybakina hung in until nearly the end of the second set when Swiatek broke her. Swiatek served for the match, and the two players produced some of the best angles, hardest-hitting, and funny rallies of the match.
What a point to finish the match 👏
Iga Swiatek clinches Poland’s win over Kazakhstan into with a 7-6(5), 6-4 win over Elena Rybakina. #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/BsYXQEES2M
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 4, 2025
Iga Swiatek looked physically spent and visibly relieved at match point. Wearing a bandage around her right hamstring, the United Cup schedule and competition have seemingly taken their early toll. However, she is a fighter and will be ready to take on either the US or Czech Republic in the final.
Iga Swiatek after beating Elena Rybakina at United Cup to take Poland to the final
“Honestly I think that’s the first time I was able to win against Elena on a faster surface. It means a lot. I didn’t start well. I felt like I was on the handbrake a bit. I knew I needed to do… pic.twitter.com/MZzXiRhPyN
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 4, 2025
