2:27 pm today

Tennis: Kiwi young gun bows to Iga Swiatek in Billie Jean Cup playoff tie

2:27 pm today
Elyse Tse of New Zealand during the New Zealand playoff match for the Women’s  ASB Classic at ASB Tennis Arena, Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday 27 December 2023. Photo credit: Alan Lee / www.photosport.nz

Kiwi Elyse Tse played a match she'll never forget against world No.2 Iga Swiatek. Photo: Alan Lee / www.photosport.nz

The Kiwi women experienced a unforgettable Billie Jean Cup playoff tie, taking on the powerhouse Polish side led by six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek.

The scoreline was one-sided for Elyse Tse, who lost to Swiatek 6-0 6-1 in a rare showdown, as the world No. 2 cruised to an easy win.

The 24-year-old Polish player was in rampant form in Gorzow.

Ranked at No. 909, Tse did well to make to the most of the moment and keep Swiatek on court for 43 minutes.

Iga Swiatek of Poland returns the ball to Caty McNally of the United States during the women's singles second-round match at Wimbledon, 3 July 2024. (Photo by Daisuke Urakami / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP)

A Kiwi player doesn't often get the chance to take on one of of the world's best. Photo: AFP

New Zealand's Vivian Yang put up more resistance against world No. 124 Katarzyna Kawa, but ultimately lost 6-4 6-4.

In the women's doubles, Erin Routliffe and Jade Otway couldn't break Poland's dominance against Linda Klimovicova and Martyna Kubka.

Routliffe's serve was broken at 2-3 in the opening set and, two games later, Otway's serve was also broken.

New Zealand fell 6-2 6-2, after an early second-set break sealed their fate.

The New Zealand team will take on Romania on Sunday.

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