Americas I: Argentina secure promotion but top spot still up for grabs in Bogota
12/04/2024 23:57
Argentina have secured promotion to the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Play-offs but who they are joined by from Americas Group I will depend on the outcome of Saturday's matches
By Kevin Palmer
Argentina will head into the final round of matches in Americas Group I with a perfect winning record after they won a fourth straight tie by beating Chile at Club Los Lagartos in Bogotá, Colombia.
World No. 112 Julia Riera set the ball rolling for Argentina with a 7-5 6-2 win against world No. 693 Fernanda Labrana in a match that featured seven breaks of serve.
Maria Lourdes Carle then backed up her status as the highest-ranked player in the tie as she won her sixth Billie Jean King Cup singles match by beating Daniela Seguel 6-2 7-6(1) 6-3 to secure victory for an Argentina side that has been so impressive all week.
Martina Capurro Taborda and Julieta Estable teamed up in the doubles to complete a 3-0 win for Argentina, who will now go head-to-head with hosts Colombia in a tie that will decide the destiny of Pool A.
Should Colombia defeat Argentina, the hosts will finish top with Argentina assured of a second place finish at worst.
Colombia warmed up for that tie against Argentina by beating Venezuela 3-0, with the experienced Maria Paulina Perez-Garcia sealing only her third singles win in this competition as she battled to a 6-2 5-7 6-3 win against Andrea Gamiz.
If Colombia lose to Argentina, they will be hoping both Venezuela and Chile can win their remaining ties.
In the other tie played on Friday, Peru and Ecuador tussled to avoid finishing at the bottom of the pool and it was the Peruvians that came out on top with a 2-1 win.
The youthful doubles pairing of 21-year-old Romina Ccuno and teenager Francesca Maguina Bunikowska held their nerve as they teamed up to secure the crucial win in the doubles to seal the tie.
Now all eyes will be on the battle between Colombia and Argentina to decide who clinches top spot in Pool A.
