SYDNEY, Jan 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - World number two Iga Swiatek defied a 
partisan crowd to thrash Australian Maya Joint in Sydney on Friday and give 
Poland the lead in their United Cup quarter-final.

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.

Hubert Hurkacz faces home hope Alex de Minaur in the men's singles as Poland 
and Australia battle for the right to meet reigning champions the United 
States in the last four.

The other semi-final is between Belgium and Switzerland.

The United Cup is a mixed-teams competition featuring 18 countries and serves 
as build-up to the Australian Open.