Both teams did not really want to play doubles. The Polish women – before the competition began, because they were counting on singles victories by Magda Linette and Iga Świątek. It turned out differently and after Linette’s defeat, the White and Reds dreamed of a decision in doubles. The Italians, on the other hand, after Bronzetti’s victory and the first set of the Świątek – Paoloni clash (3:6), were counting on a decision in singles. Eventually, the competition took place in doubles, and Iga Świątek replaced Magdalena Fręch at the last moment and, just like in the duel with the Czechs, she paired up with Katarzyna Kawa. The Polish women fought against this year’s Olympic champions: Sara Errani and Jasmine Paoloni.
Świątek and Kawa were leading 5:1. And then there was a drama like never before
The first set was very even. The Polish team did not use a great chance – three set points. When the White and Reds were leading 5:4, the Italians were serving and losing 15:40. Then, in three actions in a row, the experienced, 37-year-old Sara Errani played brilliantly at the net.
In the next game, the Polish team failed again. They were already leading 40:15. After a moment, Iga Świątek wasted a simple volley at the net and it was the decisive point. The Italians won it after a great return by Paolini. A moment later, Errani won her serve and her opponents were happy with a 7:5 victory. In this set, there was a situation in which the Italians did not show their class. – One hit, and immediately after it another – everything is visible and it is impossible that you did not feel it on the racket – in a very important moment of the doubles match between the Polish and Italian teams, our opponents argued with the referee after a great play by Iga Świątek. It was far from fair play – wrote Łukasz Jachimiak, a journalist from Sport.pl.
