'Helpless' No.1 thrashed on cusp of Aus Open

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American Jessica Pegula has thrashed top-ranked pistillate Iga Swiatek6-2, 6-2 successful the archetypal limb of Team USA's semi-final necktie with Poland astatine the United Cup.

Match constituent came from a uncommon unforced mistake from Swiatek arsenic the satellite No.1 looked rattled, aft an hr and 11 minutes.

"Perfect Pegula," Sam Smith said connected the Nine broadcast.

"What a commencement for Team USA and the American No.1 dominates the champion successful the world."

As Pegula brought up lucifer point, Smith said Swiatek looked lost.

"She doesn't truly cognize what to bash down there, Iga Swiatek. She has been wholly outplayed by Pegula," Smith said.

Swiatek was visibly upset pursuing the straight-sets loss, concealing tears with a towel arsenic she spoke with squad skipper Agnieska Radwanska courtside.

The 21-year-old was yet to driblet a acceptable successful her United Cup run earlier her brushwood with Pegula.

Addressing the tears during her post-match presser, Swiatek said the concern felt uncontrollable.

"I conscionable knew that I felt benignant of helpless contiguous due to the fact that physically and mentally I wasn't capable to amusement up and occupation solve," she said.

"It's ever hard erstwhile you lose, particularly erstwhile you're playing for the country. I was conscionable sad, but it's not the archetypal clip I've cried aft a mislaid lucifer (so) thing special."

In her courtside interview, Pegula said she wanted to usage her familiarity with the conditions to her advantage.

She and her Team USA teammates person been based successful Sydney passim the United Cup, whereas Swiatek and the remainder of the Poland broadside had flown from Brisbane connected Thursday.

"I person played her successful a batch of antithetic places but I decidedly consciousness similar these were the fastest conditions," she said.

"I cognize they had a pugnacious turn-around ... flying here, and we person been fortunate being present and possibly having a spot of an vantage being utilized to the courts.

"I wanted to usage that arsenic overmuch arsenic I could. I played aggressively, served astute and returned well."

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