Summer of Tennis LIVE updates: World No. 1 Swiatek in tears as USA sprints to 2-0 lead in Sydney

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Team United States up 2-0 after Tiafoe out-classes Zuk

A seriously good service game polished off by an ace from Tiafoe puts the American at 5-3.

America’s Frances Tiafoe takes the second match for Team United States in Sydney.Credit:AP

And he follows-up with a break, out-classing Zuk and putting the Americans ahead 2-0 in the semi-final.

That was a strong match from Tiafoe, although he was bamboozled earlier by this wild spin from Zuk.

At the Adelaide International Russians Medvedev and Khachanov are locked in a tight opening set.

Tiafoe (US) v Zuk (Poland) 6-3, 5-3

Khachanov v Medvedev 3-2

Extraordinary: Tiafoe’s double-handed parry at the net

In a shot so extraordinary it seemed to cause Polish cheerleaders physical pain, Tiafoe wielded his racquet with both hands for a double-handed volley that won him the point.

He walks away like a warrior whose life just flashed before his eyes as he parries a killing blow.

But it’s the Polish fans feeling the pain.

Polish fans react after an extraordinary parry from Frances Tiafoe.Credit:Nine

Tiafoe takes third straight set in semi-finals for USA

Zuk staved off losing set point with an ace but Tiafoe closes the deal easily on serve.

Team United States put away their third straight set in the semi-finals. Tiafoe’s up 6-3 in his match against Zuk.

Tiafoe charging ahead for Team USA

Team Poland are on the back foot after Iga Swiatek’s devastating loss to Jessica Pegula and Frances Tiafoe’s early dominance over Kacper Zuk in the second match of the semi-finals.

Francis Tiafoe charges ahead for Team USA early in his semi-finals clash with Poland’s Kacper Zuk.Credit:Getty

Zuk’s firing back – he’s just busted a string – but needs to amp up the fire urgently against Tiafoe.

In Adelaide, Italy’s Jannik Sinner, who kicked Thanasi Kokkinakis out of the tournament yesterday, just lost the quarter-final to American Sebastian Korda in straight sets.

Korda (US) v Sinner (Italy) 7-5, 6-1

Tiafoe (US) v Zuk (Poland) 5-2

Watch: Swiatek train wreck puts Team United States in the lead

Popyrin dispatched after medical timeout

Australia’s Alexei Popyrin is out of the Adelaide International, losing to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (10-8), 6-2. Nishioka closed out the match after Popyrin took a medical timeout for shortness of breath.

Alexei Popyrin is out of the Adelaide International after a stunning showing at the tournament.Credit:Getty

Popyrin led the match early on 4-1 until an extraordinary rant from his opponent derailed his momentum and sparked a comeback from Nishioka.

The Australian, ranked 120, won admiration by downing second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round of the tournament.

Swiatek left in tears after Pegula match disaster

Pegula broke a four-time losing streak in her matches against Swiatek with this straight-sets victory. She acknowledged she had an advantage over the world No.1, who had to travel from Brisbane yesterday while Team United States had the day to practise in Sydney.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek sobs after her straight-sets loss to No. 3 Jessica Pegula.Credit:AP

Swiatek hadn’t dropped a set in the tournament until now. She’s in tears, with a towel over her head, after the match.

Pegula downs world No. 1 in straight sets to put Team USA in the lead

That’s why Team United States call her The Boss. Jessica Pegula just downed the best player in the world, 6-2, 6-2.

Uncharacteristic unforced errors and bad judgement from Iga Swiatek and a forensic game from the American has put the USA ahead in the opening semi-finals salvo of the United Cup.

Popyrin down a double break, Pegula serving for the match

Popyrin’s in trouble. He saved a break point with a fierce forehand winner but Nishioka earned another break and won the point.

In Sydney, Pegula’s is serving for a 1-0 lead in the tie between Poland and the United States.

Nishioka v Popyrin 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (10-8), 5-2

Pegula v Swiatek 6-2, 5-2

Pegula lands first semi-final set for Team USA, Swiatek wobbly

Pegula’s in control here. The American won the first set after breaking Swiatek twice and she hasn’t let up in the second. She’s dead calm and totally in control against a wobbly Swiatek.