Grand slam champions Elena Rybakina and Barbora Krejcikova have comfortably received their opening matches to assist Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic respectively take 2-0 leads within the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers.
Kazakhstan stamped their authority over Poland on clay at dwelling, taking full benefit of world No.1 Iga Swiatek’s absence for the Poles as a consequence of harm as Yulia Putintseva shocked Magda Linette 7-5 6-3 earlier than Rybakina doubled their benefit.
Wimbledon champion Rybakina fired 9 aces and received three out of six break factors in her 6-3 6-4 victory over Weronika Falkowska to place Kazakhstan in full management forward of the ultimate day’s motion.
The best-of-five qualifiers function two singles matches on Friday and two reverse singles on Saturday plus a doubles rubber.
“Magda is a rather difficult player so it’ll be a difficult match,” Rybakina mentioned, looking forward to her conflict with Linette.
“I hope today’s match will allow me to feel more confident tomorrow. I’ll prepare and hope that I’ll be able to win.”
France took a 2-0 lead over hosts Britain as world No.5 Caroline Garcia first battled to a 6-7 (7-2) 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-2) win over Katie Boulter in a marathon lasting three hours 26 minutes.
“Three tiebreaks just says how tight the match was. Katie played really well, I just had to fight and stay in the match,” WTA Finals winner Garcia mentioned.
Her compatriot Alize Cornet then beat Harriet Dart 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-3) to increase France’s lead.
Czech Republic’s former Roland Garros runner-up Marketa Vondrousova beat Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-1 within the Turkish metropolis of Antalya the place the groups are taking part in as a result of battle in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of its neighbour.
Krejcikova, the 2021 French Open champion, then eased previous Ukraine’s Katarina Zavatska 6-4 6-3.
The 27-year-old, who mentioned she has been supporting the folks of Ukraine in the course of the battle, additionally pledged her earnings from the qualifiers to the folks in Turkey affected by the devastating earthquake in February.
Spain led Mexico 2-0 after Sara Sorribes Tormo thrashed Fernanda Contreras Gomez 6-0 6-0 earlier than Nuria Parrizas Diaz beat Renata Zarazua 6-4 6-3.
In Stuttgart, Germany misplaced the primary match in opposition to Brazil however levelled the tie with victory within the second recreation.
Anna-Lena Friedsam received the primary set in opposition to Beatriz Haddad Maia however ended up shedding 6-3 4-6 3-6.
Tatjana Maria then did not waste her likelihood to tie the matchup and defeated Laura Pigossi 6-3 3-6 7-5.
The United States, who’ve received extra titles than every other nation within the competitors with 18, face Austria whereas Italy play Slovakia and Canada tackle Belgium.
The 9 profitable nations from the qualifiers will be a part of defending champions Switzerland and 2022 runners-up Australia at this yr’s Finals, which can happen from November 7-12.
The twelfth nation competing on the finals shall be introduced as soon as a bunch has been confirmed.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
