PERTH - Iga Swiatek romped to an emphatic victory in her season-opening match at the United Cup on Dec 30, but Stefanos Tsitsipas crashed as Kazakhstan upset Greece to make the knockout rounds of the mixed-team tournament.
Five-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek was on court for the first time since news broke in late November that she served a one-month ban for a doping violation.
But the Pole quickly shook off any nerves in Sydney with a 6-1, 6-0 thrashing of Norway's Malene Helgo, needing just 62 minutes for the demolition job.
"Pleased with everything, honestly," said the world No. 2.
"I'm happy for sure with the performance. It's not always easy to play for your country, sometimes the pressure is a bit bigger.
"I feel good, I feel happy, happy I can play tennis overall. I'm just going step by step and we'll see what's next."
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