Iga Swiatek put down a marker for 2024 as the world No.1 thumped Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2, 6-2 in the United Cup mixed team tournament on Saturday before Hubert Hurkacz handed Poland an unassailable 2-0 lead against Brazil.
The 22-year-old cruised through the opening set in typically dominant style and went up 4-1 in the next after an early wobble on serve, before ending WTA Elite Trophy champion Haddad Maia’s seven-match winning streak.
Hurkacz handed Brazil their second defeat in Group A of the $10 million tournament when he defeated Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 6-3.
Alexander Zverev led Germany to a 2-1 win over Italy, while the Netherlands won the decisive mixed doubles to beat Norway in the group stage.
Zverev beat Lorenzo Sonego 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4 and teamed with Angelique Kerber to win the decisive mixed doubles against Sorengo and Angelica Moratelli 6-3, 6-0.
Kerber, the three-time grand slam singles winner, played her first match since giving birth in February against Jasmine Paoline and lost 4-6, 5-7.