Maya Joint has vowed she is able to tackle world No.2 Iga Swiatek as Australia battles Poland within the quarter finals of the United Cup in Sydney on Friday night time.
Australia’s top-ranked girl, the 19-year-old self-proclaimed Ginger Ninja was pressured to overlook Australia’s opening tie in opposition to Norway with sickness, and seemed removed from her finest in opposition to the Czechs and Barbora Krejcikova, taking place in straight units 6-4, 6-1 on Tuesday.
Joint has performed Swiatek solely as soon as earlier than – within the semi-final of the Korea Open final September. She was blown off the court docket 6-0, 6-2 in underneath an hour.
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Joint in motion in opposition to Krejcikova on Tuesday night time. Getty
However Joint says she has returned to full health, and is prepared for regardless of the former world No.1 throws at her.
“I’ve nothing to lose – simply go on the market and swing,” she stated on 2GB’s Broad World of Sports activities Radio on Thursday.
“I’ve the house crowd assist behind me. Our final match was fairly fast – I believe I misplaced in underneath an hour, so I hope I can simply drag it out just a little bit longer.
The Aussie tennis summer time kicks off with the 2026 United Cup. Watch it reside and free on 9 and 9Now.
“She performed some actually nice tennis final time, however I’ve had some actually good practices this week.”
Joint stated she was disenchanted to overlook the Norway tie, however conceded it was the best name to make.
Joint will play Swiatek within the opening rubber on Ken Rosewall Enviornment, earlier than Alex de Minaur does battle with Hubert Hurkacz. Storm Hunter and John-Patrick Smith will then crew up in opposition to Swiatek and Hurkacz within the blended doubles.
The winner then faces Crew USA on Saturday.
On Thursday night time, Belgium booked its semi-final spot by beating Czechia 2-1.
Zizou Bergs comfortably beat Jakub Mensik 6-2, 7-6 (4) within the males’s rubber, earlier than Elise Mertens rallied from a set down in opposition to Krejcikova to win in three 5-7, 6-1, 7-5 and clinch the tie.
The Czechs picked up a comfort rubber within the blended doubles, with Linda Fruhvirtova and Dalibor Svrcina beating Greet Minnen and Sander Gille 6-7, 6-3, [10-3].
Belgium will play Switzerland within the first semi-final on Saturday morning.
