Hawks and Eagles finely poised after opening doubles matches
Team Hawks got off to a quick start with Hurkacz and Swiatek teaming up well, but they were pegged back in the next match by an impressive showing from Andreeva and Kenin
Iga Swiatek at the 2023 Toray Pan Pacific Open
Team Hawks are leading Team Eagles by just two points following the opening two doubles matches of the tie.
Hawks currently lead 10-8 as the tie heads into its final doubles match, with two singles matches also to follow.
The Hawks currently sit third in the table with 34 points, while the Eagles are not far behind them with 30. Both teams have a chance to surge up the table and close the gap between themselves and table-toppers Team Kites, who beat Team Falcons in the first tie of the day.
Hawks pegged back after a leading start to the doubles
Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz teamed up for the Hawks to face Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev of the Eagles in the first match of the tie.
It was the Poles who dominated proceedings, with Swiatek and Hurkacz’s greater experience playing with each other clearly showing. The pair broke twice en route to a straightforward 6-2 victory to get the Hawks off to the quicker start against the Eagles.
The world No 1 then teamed up with Caroline Garcia to take on Andreeva and Sofia Kenin in the women’s doubles instalment of the tie.
All went on serve until the seventh game, when the Eagles made their move to break and head 4-3 up. The rest of the match went on serve, with Kenin serving out the win to close the four-point deficit between the two teams to just one point.
“I was really nervous before the match, and I’m super happy to earn my first points for my team,” Andreeva said after the match.
“I’m very happy to get my first win for Team Eagles.”
