Iga Swiatek survived a two-hour and 57-minute thriller against Katie Boulter after completing a 6-7 (3) 6-1 6-4 win at the United Cup to help Polandseal a semifinal ticket at the event.
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Although the 24th-ranked Briton entered as the underdog, she absolutely didn't look like one as she and the five-time Grand Slam champion went toe-to-toe and played at a high-level throughout the match.
Late in the match, both players were evidently tired and exhausted.
Also, Swiatek had to leave the court for an off-court medical after Boulter claimed a break for a 2-1 lead in the third set.
When she returned, the Pole had her thigh wrapped up but also managed to get back into the decider and ultimately win it.
Since Hubert Hurkacz defeated Billy Harris in the opening rubber of the tie, the 23-year-old's win sealed Poland's victory over Great Britain.
Now, Poland will face Kazakhstan in the United Cup semifinal and it will bring a showdown between the world No. 2 and Elena Rybakina.
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How Swiatek outlasted Boulter?
At the start of the match, the four-time French Open winner champion earned a break before saving four break points in the third game to go 3-0 up early.
But the Briton didn't get discouraged by a slow start to the match and managed to get the break back in the seventh game before ultimately forcing a tie-break.
In the tie-break, Swiatek also led 4-3 in the tie-break before stunningly losing the next four points and the opener.
After dropping the first set in a heartbreaking way, the world No. 2 impressively bounced back after taking the Briton's serve three times to send the match into a decider.
As mentioned above, the former world No. 1found herself down by a break after the opening three games but still completed her comeback win with breaks in the second and 10th games.
