The United Cup attracted a healthy field of top players and this dynamic and intense event appears to be thriving
Towards the end of the frantic, tension-filled mixed doubles tussle between Poland and Norway at the United Cup in Sydney, Casper Ruud took a deep breath as he stood on top of the baseline alongside his partner Ulrikke Eikeri and prepared to serve. With just a narrow 4-3 lead in the third set match tie-break, the following minutes would determine Norway’s fate in the competition.
Ruud fired down a heavy topspin serve and then he traded forceful crosscourt groundstrokes with Poland’s Jan Zielinski from the left side of the court. But then, all of a sudden, his focus shifted. Ruud sharply changed directions, instead opting to hammer forehands down the line towards Iga Swiatek on the baseline in an attempt to overpower her and break her down. Not only did Swiatek firmly hold her ground, though, she maintained immaculate depth under pressure and methodically wrestled the initiative back from Ruud. By the end of the point, it was Swiatek who pounced on a short backhand from Ruud and curled a crosscourt forehand winner past Eikeri at the net.
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Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jan/04/iga-swiatek-casper-ruud-mixed-doubles-tennis
Author : Tumaini Carayol
Publish date : 2025-01-04 13:47:03
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