"In 20 minutes, I’ll be dead" hilariously quips Iga Swiatek, sets up Paolini Billie Jean King Cup Finals battle

Iga Swiatek once again impressed in the Billie Jean King Cup, securing a crucial singles victory against Linda Noskova and later achieving a remarkable doubles win alongside Katarzyna Kawa against Marie Bouzkova and world No. 1 doubles player Katerina Siniakova, eliminating the Czech team.

The Polish star is now preparing for the semifinals against a strong Italian team that recently knocked out Japan, with Jasmine Paolini as their main weapon. The series will take place on November 18, determining the first finalist of the tournament.

The 5-time Grand Slam champion entered the contest in the second match, following Magdalena Frech’s loss to Marie Bouzkova. Swiatek faced challenges against the teenage Noskova, who had previously defeated her at the Australian Open earlier this year. In a tightly contested match, Swiatek emerged victorious with a score of 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-5.

Later in the doubles, Swiatek and Kawa dominated the Czech pair, securing a 6-3, 6-4 win to guarantee their semifinal clash against Italy.

"In 20 minutes, I’ll be dead, but now, let’s enjoy this," quipped Swiatek in quotes published by the WTA. "It was an exhausting day, really tough matches. But I’m really happy that we won the last one. That’s the most important thing.

"The whole team did an amazing job. I’m going to ask [Kawa] to teach me these forehands down the line, they’re amazing."

In the series against Italy, unless there are last-minute changes, Magdalena Frech is set to face Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the first match. Later, world No. 2 Swiatek will take on No. 4 Jasmine Paolini in a showdown between the two highest-ranked players left in the competition.

If a deciding match is needed, Swiatek will join forces with Kawa again to face French Open runner-up and Olympic gold medalists Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani.