United Cup: Katie Boulter set for Iga Swiatek clash as Great Britain face Poland quarter-final
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Great Britain will face Poland in the quarter-finals of the United Cup on Thursday despite losing their final group match 2-1 to hosts Australia. After their win over Argentina in the team competition on Monday, Britain knew one straight-sets success from three rubbers in Sydney would be enough to see them top the group.
And Katie Boulter duly obliged, continuing her encouraging start to the new season with a 6-2 6-1 thumping of 97th-ranked Olivia Gadecki in the opening match. With the main job completed, Boulter was spared having to take on fiance Alex De Minaur in the mixed doubles, a prospect she said had been giving her sleepless nights.
The Australian No1 eased past Billy Harris 6-2 6-1 before teaming up with Gadecki for a 6-3 7-6 (3) victory over Olivia Nicholls and Charles Broom. It was not enough for Australia to make it through, though, and Britain now face the formidable prospect of trying to defeat Poland to reach the semi-finals.
That will give Boulter a shot at world number two Iga Swiatek, with Harris also facing a top-20 player in Hubert Hurkacz. "I'm really happy with the team and hopefully we can keep pushing and have a go," said Boulter. "I've got nothing to lose. She (Swiatek) is what she is for a reason, I have so much respect for her, she's an incredible player and I'm looking forward to testing my skills. I'll go out swinging. It's been a great week for me either way.".
