Iga Swiatek ready for ‘nice challenge’ as she prepares for Elena Rybakina clash

Poland will face Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the United Cup in Sydney on Saturday, with Swiatek and Rybakina’s clash set to be key in deciding who progresses to the final.

Anticipation is building for the contest between two Grand Slam champions, arguably the biggest encounter of the 2025 WTA season to date.

The 25-year-old has been in fine form in the team event so far, with three comprehensive straight-set wins to her name.

Things have been trickier for Swiatek, who overcame a tough group stage test from the Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova before battling past Britain’s Katie Boulter in a three-set epic on Thursday.

Speaking ahead of the match, Swiatek claimed she was “happy” to face a key rival ahead of the Australian Open – and that her contests so far had prepared her well to take on Rybakina.

She said: “Honestly I’m happy, because it’s a nice challenge, especially before a Grand Slam. Elena likes playing in Australia, so for sure it’s going to be a challenge.

“I think these two matches that I played will help me because I know what I need to do after playing these two matches, and kind of I got through some tough moments. So it’s not going to be so new, like, on the next one.

“But yeah, honestly I didn’t know who I’m even going to play, so obviously I can’t say, like, more, because we’re going to prepare probably tomorrow [Friday] in the evening.”