United Cup 2025: Iga Swiatek vs Malene Helgo preview, head-to-head, prediction & pick

Match Details

Fixture: Iga Swiatek vs Malene Helgo

Date: December 30, 2024

Tournament: United Cup 2025

Round: Group stage

Venue: Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney, Australia

Category: United Cup

Surface: Hard

Prize Money: $11,170,000

Live Telecast: Tennis Channel (USA) | TSN, RDS (Canada) | Sky Sports (UK)

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Iga Swiatek vs Malene Helgo preview

The high-stakes second Group B tie between Poland and Norway will see Iga Swiatek and Malene Helgo lock horns at the United Cup on Monday.

Swiatek, who will be playing in her first match of the new season, comes fresh off a solid 2024 season. While she may have lost the World No. 1 ranking to Aryna Sabalenka, Swiatek lifted her fifth Grand Slam title at the French Open.

The Pole’s impressive 61-9 win-loss for the season was highlighted by five trophy wins. However, she had a forgettable time Down Under and will be looking to change that heading into 2025.

Helgo lost her opener to Karolina Muchova. (Source: Getty)

Ranked more than 300 places below her much-more fancied opponent, Helgo has still managed to earn herself a reputation as a big fighter. That also holds true for the United Cup.

Making her debut at the tournament last year, the Norwegian punched above her weight and had the likes Caroline Garcia and Donna Vekic on the ropes. Her loss to Karolina Muchova at this year’s opener translates to a 0-5 win-loss record at the tournament but she is unlikely to go down without a fight.

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Iga Swiatek vs Malene Helgo head-to-head

Swiatek and Helgo have never crossed paths on the tour before so their current head-to-head stands at a 0-0 deadlock.

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Iga Swiatek vs Malene Helgo odds

Players	Moneyline	Handicap	Total Games
Iga Swiatek
Malene Helgo

(Odds will be updated when available)

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Iga Swiatek vs Malene Helgo prediction

Swiatek will be the heavy favorite. (Source: Getty)

Given the massive gulf in the world rankings and level of experience, Iga Swiatek will come into the contest as the heavy favorite to win.

The key for Malene Helgo will be to look to exploit any early jitters from her opponent, given that it will be her match of the season. The Norwegian has spent time on the court and gotten accustomed to the conditions and will need to use that to her advantage.

Helgo will also have to be more aggressive to stand a chance against Swiatek, taking on any second serves or loose ball head on. The longer the match continues, the more settled Swiatek will feel on the court.

The Norwegian has a few weapons at her disposal, but unless she can use them to seize control early, Swiatek is likely to take control of proceedings.

Prediction: Iga Swiatek to win in straight sets