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Świątek guides Poland into United Cup semis as Sabalenka, Djokovic triumph in Brisbane

Świątek guides Poland into United Cup semis as Sabalenka, Djokovic triumph in Brisbane

Iga Świątek has pulled out all stops to send Poland into the United Cup semifinals in Sydney.

World number two Świątek overcame an apparent leg injury to deny Katie Boulter 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 6-4 in a thrilling singles match on Ken Rosewall Arena.

The five-time major singles champion handed Poland an unassailable 2-0 lead over Great Britain in Thursday night’s quarterfinal in Sydney.

Hubert Hurkacz had earlier broken the shackles to put Poland into the lead following the opening singles rubber.

Hurkacz lived up to his world number 16 standing to see off the 125th-ranked Billy Harris 7-6 (7/3), 7-5.

Poland will play Kazakhstan in the semifinals.

At the Brisbane International, world number one Aryna Sabalenka was made to work hard in a 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 win over 15th seed Yulia Putintseva.

Putintseva took the fight to Sabalenka in the first set of the round-of-16 match and led 2-1 in the tie-breaker.

Sabalenka proceeded to win six consecutive points to take the set after showcasing forehand and backhand winners.

The two-time Australian Open winner broke her opponent early in the second set and went on to complete the job in a high-quality match after one hour and 49 minutes.

Novak Djokovic scored a comfortable straight-sets win over Gaël Monfils. (AAP: Darren England)

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic continued his extraordinary dominance of Gaël Monfils to move into the quarterfinals.

Djokovic took his head-to-head ATP Tour record over the Frenchman to 20-0 in a 6-3, 6-3 win on Pat Rafter Arena.

Earlier, Kimberly Birrell advanced to the quarterfinals in Brisbane with a straight-sets win over Anastasia Potapova.

AAP/ABC

Look back at all the action from a busy day of tennis in our blog.

Key Events

United Cup: Świątek clinches quarterfinal win for Poland

Iga Świątek celebrates defeating Katie Boulter.
Iga Świątek celebrates her win.(Getty Images)

Iga Świątek and Poland triumph!

The five-time major singles winner was pushed to the brink by Great Britain’s Katie Boulter in an absorbing contest.

After two hours and 57 minutes on Ken Rosewall Arena, Świątek came out on top 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 6-4.

What a match!

Świątek showed all the fighting qualities that took her to the top of the rankings and why she is every chance of reclaiming the number-one spot during 2025.

Boulter may walk away on the losing side of the ledger, but her effort tonight was spectacular.

For the record, Poland will play Kazakhstan in the semifinals.

Thanks for your company!

And that’s Game, Set and Match for us tonight!

Thanks as always for your company.

Friday promises to be a massive day.

We have Kimberly Birrell’s quarterfinal against Anhelina Kalinina at the Brisbane International as the early highlight.

They’ll be on court from 12pm AEDT.

I’ll be back to kick off the blog earlier in the day, so it will be great if you can joins us again.

Good night!

Brisbane International: Sabalenka safely through to quarters

Aryna Sabalenka pumps her fist.
Aryna Sabalenka has reason to celebrate.(AAP)

Aryna Sabalenka will contest the quarterfinals in Brisbane after getting the job done against 15th seed Yulia Putintseva.

The world number one served out the round-of-16 match to win 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.

She’ll be back on court in 24 hours time when she plays Marie Bouzková in the Friday night session on Pat Rafter Arena.

United Cup: Świątek fights back from break point

Iga Świątek was seemingly on the verge of dropping her serve when she trailed Katie Boulter 30-40 in the ninth game.

The world number two, however, dug deep into her bag of tricks to eventually hold.

It’s 5-4 to the Pole, with Boulter to serve in the 10th game.

United Cup: Boulter survives break points

Katie Boulter was forced to save more than one break point but she held serve in the eighth game to level the third set at 4-4 against Iga Świątek.

A Boulter victory would level the quarterfinal at 1-1 for Great Britain, while Świątek will seal the tie for Poland should she prevail.

Brisbane International: Sabalenka takes first set against Putintseva

Aryna Sabalenka serves.
Aeryna Sabalenka got the better of Yulia Putintseva in the first set.(AAP)

There were some anxious moments for Aryna Sabalenka, but the world number one has the opening set in her keeping.

She won the tie-break 7-2 against 15th seed Yulia Putintseva.

Brisbane International: Tie-break to decide first set

We’re off to a tie-break in the round-of-16 match between Aryna Sabalenka and Yulia Putintseva.

Sabalenka got a break back after dropping her serve in the seventh game of the first set.

United Cup: Świątek breaks back immediately

Iga Świątek has broken Katie Boulter and now games are back on serve at 2-2.

Świątek is wearing supportive tape on her upper right leg following the medical timeout.

United Cup: Play back underway

Iga Świątek has returned to the court after her medical timeout and the third set will resume.

Katie Boulter is serving at 2-1 with a break in hand.

United Cup: Boulter breaks Świątek in third set

Katie Boulter plays a backhand.
Katie Boulter has a service break early in the third set.(Getty Images)

Katie Boulter has opened up a 2-1 lead after breaking Iga Świątek’s serve in the third game of the final set.

Meanwhile, Świątek called for the physio and has left the court for a medical timeout.

There will be a delay in the match as the Pole receives treatment for what appears to be a leg issue.

What effect the pause in the proceedings has on Boulter — who has the momentum in the third set — remains to be seen.

Interesting question

Weird question, but is it possible that Djokovic has played more minutes of professional competitive tennis than any other person?

I wonder whether anyone has gotten deep enough into tournaments across a long enough span to challenge him on this?

Obvious competitors are the other big two and maybe people during the pre-tie break era? Although if you go back that far the professional element is complex. I have no idea how to find this out.

– Llywellyn

Thanks for your query Llywellyn.

We’ve tried to locate the stats but have drawn a blank so far.

If Djokovic hasn’t played the most minutes, he would surely be a podium contender.

Brisbane International: Sabalenka broken by Putintseva

The door may have opened for Yulia Putintseva in the first set against world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

The 15th seed has snatched a service break to lead 4-3 on Pat Rafter Arena.

United Cup: Świątek wins second set to level rubber

Iga Świątek plays a backhand.
Iga Świątek only dropped one game in the second set.(Getty Images)

Iga Świątek broke Katie Boulter for the third time to win the second set 6-1.

The four-time French Open winner was ruthless in the second set.

She committed only three unforced errors to Boulter’s 13 on her way to levelling the match at a set apiece.

Auckland Open: Baptiste joins the Stars and Stripes QF party

Six … count ’em SIX … Americans have made the quarterfinals in Auckland.

Hailey Baptiste is the latest to reach the last eight following her 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (8/6) win over Briton Jodie Burrage after almost three hours on court.

The task won’t be easy for Baptiste in the quarters, however, as her opponent is former world number one Naomi Osaka.

Osaka has been in solid form this week, having not dropped a set in the tournament.

United Cup: Świątek grabs double break against Boulter

Iga Świątek plays a double-fisted backhand.
Iga Świątek has broken Katie Boulter twice in the second set.(AAP)

Iga Świątek has again broken Katie Boulter’s serve in the second set.

She will serve at 3-0.

Losing the first set clearly stung Świątek, who will clinch the quarterfinal for Poland if she can get past Boulter.

Brisbane International: Sabalenka continues her charge

World number one Aryna Sabalenka is on court for her round-of-16 match against 15th seed Yulia Putintseva in Brisbane.

The two-time defending Australian Open champion held serve in the opening game.

We’ll provide updates as the match progresses.

United Cup: Iga Świątek hits the ground running in second set

After dropping the first set, Iga Świątek has made the best possible start to the second.

The Pole broke Katie Boulter’s serve in the opening game and then held for a 2-0 lead.

United Cup: Boulter wins first set against Świątek

Katie Boulter plays a forehand.
Katie Boulter is a set up for Great Britain.(AAP)

Katie Boulter has fought back from 1-4 down to win the first set against Iga Świątek in Great Britain’s quarterfinal against Poland.

Boulter won the tie-break 7-4, converting on her first set point as the British supporters inside Ken Rosewall Arena erupted.

Poland lead the quarterfinal 1-0 after winning the opening singles rubber via Hubert Hurkacz.

United Cup: Świątek, Boulter face off in tie-break

Katie Boulter is refusing to be intimidated by five-time major champion Iga Świątek in Great Britain’s quarterfinal against Poland.

The first set will be decided by a tie-break after Boulter and Świątek exchanged service breaks.

Brisbane International: Djokovic ices win over Monfils

Novak Djokovic prepares to serve.
 Novak Djokovic encountered little trouble against Gaël Monfils(Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic has reached the quarterfinals in Brisbane via a straight-sets win over Gaël Monfils.

Three service breaks acted as the backbone for Djokovic’s 6-3, 6-3 win over the Frenchman.

Djokovic next meets Reilly Opelka, with their quarterfinal scheduled for Friday night.