World No.1 Iga Swiatek has opened her United Cup marketing campaign with a straight-sets thrashing of Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva.
Swiatek gave Poland a 1-0 lead within the combined groups match tie with a commanding 6-1 6-3 win in Brisbane on Saturday.
The 21-year-old saved a break level within the opening sport and was by no means troubled from there.
She displayed the form of depth, focus and aggression that led her to eight singles titles in 2022, together with the French and US Open crowns.
“I’m pretty happy with my performance,” Swiatek informed the Nine Network.
“You know, first matches of the season are always kind of rusty, so I’m happy that in the important moments I was really composed.
“I attempted to have some initiative and simply push a bit bit extra.
“I’m happy with the game and I’m pretty happy to be here because the venue is amazing and I really love the stadium.
“Having my group behind my again is one thing else.”
Swiatek went on a 37-match winning streak last season – the equal-longest in women’s tennis since Steffi Graf in 1990.
But she revealed on the eve of the United Cup that she initially struggled with taking on retired Australian ace Ash Barty’s world No.1 mantle.
Swiatek hopes to take her game to a new level in 2023 and has hit the ground running ahead of next month’s Australian Open.
Swiatek was a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park final summer season, dropping to American Danielle Collins.
