Krejcikova’s Sydney Relief Signals Comeback Spark
Barbora Krejcikova shook off months of injury frustration in her United Cup debut, grinding out a 6-4, 6-3 win over Malene Helgo to hand Czechia an early edge in Sydney’s Group D.
In the crisp evening air of Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena, Barbora Krejcikova launched her 2026 campaign with a gritty straight-sets victory that felt like a long-overdue exhale. The two-time major singles champion, entering the year at No. 65 in the PIF WTA Rankings after a 2025 plagued by physical setbacks, outlasted Norway’s Malene Helgo 6-4, 6-3 on January 5, 2026. This United Cup debut gave Czechia a 1-0 lead in Group D, her taped left knee a visible reminder of battles fought off-court as much as on it.
Krejcikova’s path to this moment wound through a delayed start in May, sidelined by a recurring back injury that limited her play until the US Open quarterfinals in September—a run that briefly restored her rhythm amid the uncertainty. But troubles returned swiftly, with a knee issue forcing her retirement in the third round of the China Open against McCartney Kessler, the damage more severe than first realized. She also withdrew from her opening match at the WTA 125 in Limoges last December, leaving her match fitness in question as the team event loomed.
“I didn’t play for a long period, and the injury that I had was really tough and very unfortunate,“ Krejcikova said. ”I’m really happy that I’m here, that I can play, that I can enjoy it, that I can compete, and I’m really happy that I can finally finish a match.“
Early wobble turns to dominance
Helgo, ranked No. 532 but battle-tested in this competition, had pushed players like Caroline Garcia and Donna Vekic to three sets in the 2024 United Cup, her flat strokes thriving on the quick Sydney hardcourts. The 26-year-old Norwegian grabbed a 3-1 lead in the first set, her crosscourt forehands testing Krejcikova’s lateral movement and exposing flickers of hesitation from the Czech’s layoff. Yet in the fifth game, stretched to five deuces, Krejcikova erased a break point with a deep down-the-line serve, then locked into a 1–2 pattern that pulled Helgo off-balance.
From there, she claimed eight of the next nine games, mixing heavy topspin forehands to pin her opponent deep and slice backhands to jam up the baseline exchanges. The one-hour, 38-minute match unfolded with Krejcikova varying her approaches—inside-out winners opening angles when Helgo crept forward—her growing assurance amplified by the arena’s rising hum. Helgo’s early aggression faded against the tactical depth, her returns landing shorter as the surface’s pace favored Krejcikova’s all-court adjustments.
Putting Team Czechia on the scoreboard pic.twitter.com/EihT4A8bFV
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 5, 2026
Knee holds as confidence builds
The supportive wrap on her left knee drew glances, but Krejcikova covered ground with sharp footwork, her volleys crisp during brief net forays. “The knee is better. It took some time, but it’s improving every day and I’m very happy with that,” she added, her tone laced with quiet resolve. This outing proved an ideal test, rebuilding her endurance without breakdown, as she held serve at key junctures by targeting wide angles to stretch the Norwegian’s reach.
Helgo fought back with underspin slices to slow the rallies, but Krejcikova redirected pace effectively, her crosscourt backhands finding lines that forced errors. The victory not only secured the women’s rubber but hinted at a player rediscovering her edge, the hardcourt bounce suiting her blend of power and finesse once she settled the mental noise. As the crowd’s applause echoed, it marked a pivot from fragility to flow, setting a resilient tone for Czechia’s group push.
Mensik carries the momentum forward
With the tie teetering, World No. 19 Jakub Mensik steps up for his own United Cup debut against Casper Ruud, the Norwegian’s steady baseline game a contrast to the Czech’s explosive serves. Mensik’s flat power, often exceeding 130 mph on first delivery, could exploit any hardcourt rust in Ruud’s returns, echoing Krejcikova’s shift from defense to dictation. A win here would seal a 2-0 start, channeling the team’s energy into deeper Sydney battles and beyond.
Czechia’s early lead builds quiet belief, Krejcikova’s composure under pressure a blueprint for the squad as they navigate the event’s intensity. Her story—from injury doubts to this composed finish—fuels the collective drive, promising sharper edges as the 2026 season unfolds on these sun-baked courts.
